2020 has been a year like no other, and perhaps the most important day of this year is November 3. The presidential election will decide the direction of the country for years to come, and there are many other important races and issues on the ballot as well. It's important that we all prepare ourselves with the knowledge and resources we need to make informed decisions and have our voices heard.

Blavity has put together the following guide of the important people and issues on the ballot this year, as well as resources on how to vote and what to do if your right to vote is being challenged. We also have suggestions about additional ways to use your time, money and talents this election season and beyond.

1. What's going down nationwide

Former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris are taking on President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, and the stakes are high. Everything from racial justice and police reform to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis will be impacted for years to come based on who wins the November 3 election. Review our analyses of the Presidential and Vice Presidential Debates and the candidates' answers to voters' questions.

Blavity highlighted five of the most concerning and messy moments from that hot mess of a presidential debate. The main takeaway was that the sitting President with an already terrible record is willing to appeal to white supremacists, cast doubt on the vote ahead of time and generally sow chaos in the American population, all in order to avoid a November loss.

We identified 10 moments you may have missed from the vice presidential debate. While the Vice Presidential debate was not as chaotic as the presidential debate the prior week, moderator Susan Page was equally ineffectual as her predecessor Chris Wallace at keeping the current administration within their allotted speaking time and on topic. But Senator Harris put her skills as a prosecutor — and her experience as a Black woman who's used to being dismissed and mansplained to — to slice apart the record of the Trump-Pence administration

We pointed out five deplorable things about Trump which were reaffirmed during his Philadelphia town hall, including how he attempted to excuse lying to the American people about the seriousness of COVID-19, played up his past successes rather than his current failures, and completely dismissed racism in favor of uncritically supporting the worst practices of police. And he proved silly enough to try talking over a Black woman

By contrast, Blavity also reported how Biden believes we can all talk it out as one of several things we gleaned from his town hall. The former VP's town hall used long, personal stories (and a slightly questionable analogy to racism) to sell his moderate, coalition-building brand of politics. And though he views racial bias through a more personal than systemic lens, he showed that he takes racism in America seriously.

2. What's going down statewide

November 3 will decide much more than who sits in the White House. In addition to the presidential race, there are many other races to be decided in November. Voters across America will also be deciding many important state-wide issues that we deeply care about.

The stakes are high this November and the presidential election isn't the only important race to consider and vote on. Head here for a breakdown of nine congressional candidates to watch before you head to the ballot box or vote by mail.

In addition to the candidates running this year, there are over 100 state-level laws being decided on Election Day, here are eight important and unusual laws being voted on this November.

3. What's going down with your ballot

Whether you're going to the polls on Election Day, voting early or voting by mail, it's important to know the rules, deadlines, and ways to assert your voting rights.

With a record number of mail-in ballots being sent in this year, and rules varying from state to state, it's important to know how to properly use your absentee ballot. We have a step-by-step guide for registering to vote, requesting a mail-in ballot, properly completing and signing your ballot, and returning it. Here are 5 five key steps to follow to ensure your mail-in ballot is counted.

Also, we'd be remiss if we didn't tell you that things could go further south real quick. So we identified five of the worst-case scenarios for Election Day as well as how to prevent and/or deal with that s**t. From voter intimidation and challenges to your registration to legal challenges to a Trump victory, we lay out the potential ways in which Election Day could go sideways, and the resources you need to overcome any challenges and assert your right to vote.

4. What's going down with making change outside of casting your ballot

Voting is extremely important, but it's only one way to impact politics and achieve justice in America. Blavity has recommendations and examples of many additional ways to make a difference.

We found 11 ways Black celebrities are impacting the election and social justice convos in 2020. From Lebron James' More Than a Vote and Jay-Z and Meek Mill's Reform Alliance to the individual activities of celebrities from Michael Jordan to Naomi Osaka and Cardi B to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, athletes and celebrities are making a huge impact in this election and across the political landscape. We highlight the most significant examples from 2020 of famous Black Americans getting political.

Once your ballot is cast, you can still make a difference. We have a few suggestions and resources for donating your money, volunteering your time, hitting the streets and the internet to push for change, and even running for office yourself. Here are the ways you can keep up the Election Day momentum and make change beyond November 3.