Be an Ocean Advocate: Vote for the Ocean

Voting is one action you can take to have a positive impact on the planet. Here, learn how you can make a difference for the ocean with your ballot!

By New England Aquarium on Tuesday, August 18, 2026

See caption below — Sea turtles being released back to the ocean in Fort Fisher, North Carolina Photo courtesy of NC State Parks, a division of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

No matter where you live, you have the power to create positive change by using your vote to support a healthy and resilient ocean. Here, learn a little more about what that might look like before, on, and even after Election Day.

Make sure you’re registered to vote

Even if you’ve voted in recent elections, you should check your voter registration online. Registration systems and rules change, so you’ll want to make sure you’re eligible to vote this year, too. If you need to register, you can do so in-person at your local city hall or register to vote online.

You can also change or update your registration if, for example, you’ve moved since the last election. Each state has its own voter registration deadlines, so be sure to look up yours where you live to register on time.

Find your polling place or absentee/mail-in ballot rules

Your polling place is the location where you’ll cast your vote on Election Day. You can search online to find where you should go to vote, and what days and times your polling place will be open. In some cases, you can vote by mail, as described here.

Check out what’s on the ballot

You can search for a sample ballot to see the policymakers and issues that you’ll be asked to vote on, so you can learn more about them ahead of time.

A man in a blue shirt and gray cap is leaning over the side of a boat, gently holding a small shark in the water. — Dr. Ryan Knotek, a scientist at the New England Aquarium's Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, tagging sand tiger sharks in Boston Harbor Photo: Vanessa Kahn

Vote for the ocean

Be a voice for the blue planet this election season by supporting policymakers and policy proposals that address ocean issues. Here are some examples of what it might mean to vote for the ocean where you live:

Vote to strengthen climate resilience

This might look like: policies and policymakers that support coastal resilience planning, green infrastructure, renewable energy, and/or coastal habitat restoration.

Vote to protect endangered species and their habitats

This might look like: policies and policymakers that support conservation initiatives, endangered species regulations, and/or habitat protection.

Vote for responsible use of the ocean

This might look like: policies and policymakers that support environmentally responsible aquaculture and fishing practices, responsibly sourced seafood, and/or marine protected areas.

Vote to support scientific research

This might look like: policies and policymakers that support funding for scientific research and/or investments in ocean technology.

Keep the momentum going!

You can keep advocating for the ocean all year long. Share your thoughts with friends and family, follow people and organizations that support a healthy and resilient ocean on social media, and stay engaged through events or local government meetings in your community to continue having an impact on a local level.