VIDEO GET MY VOTE SELECT A CANDIDATE TALKBACK

Vote

Ellen Sirleaf Johnson stands at an official podium, reading a speech into the microphone. The podium is draped in red white and blue cloth

"Democracy is not something you believe in or a place to hang your hat, but it's something you do. You participate. If you stop doing it, democracy crumbles."

—Abbie Hoffman

Do you agree? What does this quote mean to you? What does democracy mean to you?
Tell us what you think >>

Why vote?

Our leaders and representatives make their decisions based on the opinions and thoughts of the people they hear from. The more you speak up and the more you exercise your right to vote, the more influence you have on policies that impact you and your community.

Yeah, okay, but does my vote really count?

Sometimes, your vote alone can decide an election.

Consider:

Several of our states, including California, Idaho, Oregon, Texas and Washington, became states by just ONE vote
In 1948, Lyndon B. Johnson, our 36th president, became a U.S. senator by a ONE vote margin
In the 1960 presidential election, ONE additional vote per precinct in Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey and Texas would have denied John F. Kennedy the presidency and put Richard M. Nixon in office eight years earlier
In 2000, President George W. Bush won the presidency with a margin of 537 votes in Florida

How do I vote?

Voting has never been easier. More and more states are embracing user-friendly practices such as early, absentee and mail-in voting, and are keeping polls open longer hours. The National Voter Registration Act, also known as the “Motor Voter Act,” was passed in 1993 to enhance voting opportunities for every American.

Not registered yet? Declare Yourself, a nonprofit, non-partisan organization, makes it easy. Just visit their Web site, complete the registration form, print and mail to the address listed for your state's chief election official. (Note: New Hampshire and Wyoming do not accept mail-in voter registration forms.)

Read Declare Yourself’s Voting FAQ >>