November 5, 2024, is coming up fast, and this year, it’s a big deal because it’s Election Day!

If you’re 18 or older, this is your chance to make a direct impact on the country’s future. But even if you’re not yet of voting age, you still have a crucial role to play in the political process.

However, before November 5 rolls around the corner, it's crucial to understand how elections and election season work in the first place. The road to November 5 doesn’t start just a few weeks before. It begins much earlier, and here’s a peek at what happens:

1. The Beginning: The presidential race kicks off long before Election Day. Candidates need to register with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and announce their bid in the spring of the year before the election.

2. Primaries and Caucuses: As summer approaches, the real action begins with primaries and caucuses. These are “mini-elections” where party members decide who will represent their party in the big race.

In our traditional two-party system, this means that there are Democratic and Republican primaries/caucuses. Primaries are a lot like the general election but are for picking the party’s nominee. Caucuses are more like meetings where party members discuss and vote on their choice.

3. There are two types of primaries that have specific rules about who can or cannot vote:

• Closed Primaries: In a closed primary, only registered party members can vote. So, if you’re a registered Democrat or Independent, you can’t vote in a Republican primary.
• Open Primaries: In an open primary, any individual can vote regardless of party affiliation.

Most states hold primaries 6-9 months before a presidential election. The state where the primary is held takes the results of the vote into account to award delegates to the winners. The candidate with the most delegates becomes their party's presidential nominee.

Whew. We're not done yet though.

4. Nominating Conventions: From July to early September, parties hold conventions to formally choose their nominees. This is also when the presidential candidate picks their vice-presidential running mate.

5. Debates and Final Push: In the months leading up to Election Day, candidates hit the debate stage and make their final pitches to the electorate.

But…. When you cast your vote on Election Day after making an informed choice, you don't vote for the president but rather his/her electors. Confusing, right?

In other U.S. elections, candidates are elected directly by popular vote. However, the president and vice president are not elected directly by citizens. Instead, they are chosen through the Electoral College process.

Here’s how it works: After you cast your vote, it’s counted in a statewide tally. In 48 states and Washington, D.C., the candidate who wins the majority of the popular vote gets all of the state’s electoral votes (Exceptions: Maine and Nebraska use a proportional system for their electors). Those electors then meet in December to cast their votes for president.

The candidate who secures at least 270 electoral votes wins. Finally, the official swearing-in of the new president takes place on January 20. This takes us through an entire Election Cycle!

How can teens who can't yet vote get involved in the political process?

1. Educate Yourself and Stay Informed: It’s never too late to learn about how the U.S. election system works and stay informed about current political issues, candidates, and the platforms of different parties.

2. Engage in Political Discussions: Feeling bored? Talk about politics with family, friends, and classmates. Discussing various viewpoints helps you develop your own informed opinions.

3. Volunteer: Offer your time to help local or national campaigns. Even if you can’t vote yet, you can assist with canvassing, phone banking, or organizing events.

4. Get Involved in Local Government: Go to town hall meetings or school board meetings to understand how local government functions and to see how decisions are made. Write letters or emails to local representatives about issues you care about.

5. Prepare for Future Voting: Once you’re eligible, register to vote as soon as you can! This ensures you're ready to participate in elections when they occur.

Even before you can cast a ballot, your involvement in politics can make a difference. By staying informed and engaged, you’re already playing a part in shaping the future by making sure that young voices are heard!