Turn Eighteen

• The first step in being able to vote in the United States is turning eighteen years old. Once a United States citizens turn eighteen, they are eligible to vote in elections. Many young people do not take advantage of their right to vote because they don't understand the value of their vote. Every vote counts in a United States election, so once a citizen turns eighteen they should learn about local and federal issues, their representatives and the candidates in upcoming elections. That way, they can make informed choices about their future leaders.
  
  

Register to Vote

• In order to be able to vote in a United States election, a citizen must register to vote. Registering to vote does not take very long at all, depending on how you choose to register. You can download registration forms from the United States government website (eac.gov), print and complete them and then mail them in to complete your registration. Many college campuses register college students in between classes. You can also register to vote at many driver's license branches and post offices for your convenience.
  
  

Bring Proper Identification

• It is extremely important that citizens brings proper identification with them when they go to the polls on Election Day. Without identification, the polling team cannot be sure that you are registered or eligible to vote. Each state has different requirements for what type of identification is needed to be able to vote, so voters should research the information before heading out to their polling station. In general, a United States passport, birth certificate or driver's license can serve as proper identification.
  
  

Cast your Ballot

• The final thing that United States citizens must do to vote is to cast their ballots. Many communities have multiple polling places available to their constituents so that voting is accessible and quick. If you attend college in a state besides the state you wish to vote in, you may cast an absentee ballot. An absentee ballot allows you to cast your vote from wherever you are. You may also vote days early at certain locations if you will not be available on election day or wish to avoid long lines. Check with your community about early voting to make sure it is available in your area.