If you’re 18-22 years old, and this is your first time voting, but you don’t know how to vote and why you’re voting, then this article is a great resource for you.

Whether you believe it or not, young voters and first-time voters are the foundation for a better America since voting allows them to express their voice to shape the policies and leadership that influence you, your family, and your community and live healthier lives, make better wages and have better government support.

Votes made by the younger generation holds power in how human rights become an important part of our democracy and how you can walk outside knowing you’re living in the free world to achieve anything you want without any restrictions from the government.

Voting is easy and quick, but the first step you are required to take is registration. In order to be eligible to vote, you'll have to start registering before or on the same day of the election so the state's election offices can collect your residual and federal information so they can make sure you're not a non-citizen, felon, have a mental disability, etc. All elections (general, primary and special) will require you to register to vote.

But the big question that may come into your mind is, how do I vote? Who do I vote for? Having an indecisive vote and a lack of knowledge on how voting works can be challenging, but do not be discouraged, as I will teach you how to register to vote and become a voice for America.

1. What age am I eligible enough to vote?

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Unfortunately, due to the 26th Amendment, you’ll have to be at least 18 years old to participate in general and primary elections. If you’re under 18 and between the ages of 16-17 by election day, then you will not be able to vote until 2026 for primary elections, and if you’re between the ages of 14-17 by election day, then you’re not allowed to vote until 2028 for general elections.

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2. If I'm under 18 and I want to vote, is there anything I could do to prepare for when I turn 18?

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As the previous point strictly mentioned, you have to be 18 years old or over to register. However, in twenty states such as California, New York, Oregon, North Carolina, Florida, Washington D.C., Illinois, etc., they allow 16 and 17-year-olds to pre-register for future elections so they can be automatically registered to vote when they turn 18 years old.

So, if you’re under 18 and want to know what voter registration is like and you live in one of these states, you’re in luck. Please check your state's registration website for more information.

3. Are there any restrictions and requirements for registration?

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In all states, there are certain requirements and restrictions made by the law to be able to register such as:

• Not be a felon or in jail/prison
• Have a valid government ID/Driver’s License/Permit
• Have a valid Social Security Number
• Be a current resident of the state you’re voting in
• Be a legal United States Citizen
• Although it’s not a requirement to join a political party to register to vote, it is highly recommended.

4. How do I register to vote in my state?

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To register to vote in your state, you must:

• Check if you meet all requirements to be eligible to vote.
• Visit your state’s website to start applying for registration.
• If the website requires an account, create an account or sign in.
• Provide all required information such as full legal name, residential address, valid government ID/Driver’s license, and Social Security Number.
• If there are any security questions, answer them with the best of your ability.
• Submit and confirm registration.
• Check your registration status regularly to see if you’re registered to vote.
• Be aware of deadlines for registration.

5. If I’m fully registered now, how do I vote?

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After you have been fully registered to vote, and your state allows early voting or voting on Election Day, you must:

• Head to any polling place near your area.
• Wait in line, and when it’s your turn, you will be given a ballot.
• If your voting place requires ID for verification, be ready to present ID.
• Take your ballot and go to any polling station. You will be provided a pen.
• Read the instructions carefully and review the ballot to fully make sure that you know who you’re voting for.
• It’s perfectly fine to take your time reading the ballot as first-time voting can be difficult, but don’t spend too much time as there are others waiting to use the polling station to vote as well.
• Fill in the box next to the presidential and vice-presidential candidate’s names that you choose to vote for. (Disclaimer: try your best to not make any stray marks as that would invalidate the ballot)
• You are not only voting for President/Vice President. You will be also be voting for a running representative, as well as running senators, governors, and other local officials from your state/district. Fill in the boxes for whoever you choose.
• Only choose ONE candidate from each section. You cannot, under any circumstances, choose both.
• If you don’t want to vote for neither, there is a write-in option to cast your vote for whoever you choose.
• When you’re finished, submit your ballot in a ballot box for collection.
• If you’re feeling anxious and nervous before, during, and after voting, that’s okay! Everyone feels anxiety when faced with something they have never done before. Just know, you’re contributing to the American economy by expressing your voice.

6. Can I vote without going in-person?

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Yes, all states offer Absentee Voting (which is mail-in). If you’re already registered to vote and want to vote via absentee voting,

• You must request a ballot from your local election office or the state’s office website.
• Provide home address, ID for verification, and/or Social Security Number.
• Grab a pen, follow the instructions, and review the ballot.
• Cast your vote for whichever candidate you desire or vote in the write-in option.
• After you’ve voted, head to any mailbox or postal office available to drop it off so it can be delivered to the polling station.

Please note that mail-in ballots take 1-2 days for the election office to receive.

7. Who are the candidates for the 2024 Presidential Election?

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The current Democratic and Republican candidates for the 2024 election are the 49th Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and the 45th Former Republican President Donald Trump. The former Democratic candidate was the incumbent 46th Democratic President Joe Biden, who initially won the Democratic nomination for a second term, but due to his age (81 years old), health concerns that are associated with his age, and his performance in the June 27th debate, he ultimately dropped out of the race after pressure from his party and supporters and endorsed Kamala Harris for the race.

There was a former independent candidate for the We the People party named Robert Kennedy Jr., but he ultimately dropped out of the race on August 23rd and endorsed Trump for President. Although his candidacy is defunct, he remains on ballots in Wisconsin, Michigan, etc., due to deadlines preventing candidates from being removed from the ballot.

8. I’m undecided on who to vote for so which one should I choose?

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I hate to break it to you, but it is not my place to tell you who you should vote for as people have different political views, and the decision maker for voting for a candidate is not the government, not myself, but you. But I will say that it is highly imperative to educate yourself on where the candidates stand on the economy, human rights, foreign policy, education policy, and environmental issues.

My advice would be to watch the past debates, the news, and interviews, or visit the candidate’s websites on their agendas and policies for the country.

9. Is it bad that I'm a Republican voting for Harris or I'm a Democrat voting for Trump?

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Not at all. It will never be politically incorrect to vote for candidate who is not adjacent to your current party.

One doesn't have to walk away from their party's morals and beliefs to vote for another party's candidate who you perceive to be the best for the country, no matter which candidate it is.

According to Newsweek, there are a majority of Republicans who endorse Harris such as Ex-Congresswoman Liz Cheney, former 46th Vice President Dick Cheney, Jimmy McCain, the son of the late senator and 2008 presidential candidate John McCain, former Trump press secretary Stephanie Grisham, etc. and according to Distractify, a majority of Democrats endorse Trump such as Samuel D. Thompson, a member of the New Jersey senate, Andrew Stein, Kwame Kilpatrick, Joe Exotic, aka, Tiger King, etc. These people are a prominent example of how you can be a voice of a political party but choose a different party's leader due to preferences of the leader's ideals.

10. How will my vote determine the country’s fate?

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If you have bad thoughts and feelings about the things in our country that are happening and/or may happen in the future, like climate change, social injustice, dictatorship, corruption, inadequate healthcare, then you and your vote is the voice to change the problems that precipitate the foundation of our democracy.

Imagine walking outside knowing you were one of the voices who contributed to the change in our democracy, who contributed to the people and their communities, who contributed to a cleaner and better future for our children. Voting helps save your and everyone’s life by making your vote the key to passing better policies and regulations that will make America safer and more prosperous. Remember, even if you're happy or scared about the country's morals, you can shift these morals and create a safe home for future generations by getting out the door and VOTE.