By: David Jacob

It is about that time of year again: voting season.  As the Presidential Campaign heats up, one may ask themselves: Am I registered to vote? In order to vote, one must…

1. Be a United States Citizen.
2. Be 17 years old on or before the date of the Primary Election and turn 18 on or before the date of the General Election.
3. Live in your election precinct at least 30 days prior to Election Day.
4. Not be convicted and in jail.
5. Not claim the right to vote anywhere else.

Registering to vote is a pretty easy process.  In 23 states, one can register online.  For a full list of those states, click here.

1. Once you have clicked on the hyperlink, click on the hyperlinked website.
2. Click on the ‘OK, Let’s Get Started’ hyperlink to begin the process.
3. Fill out the 14 questions.
4. You will receive an e-mail at the end verifying all the information.

If your state if not on the list, one can fill out a voters’ registration by hand at any one of these places either back home, or here in Quincy…

• State or local voter registration and/or election offices
• The department of motor vehicles
• Public assistance agencies
• Armed Services Recruitment Centers
• State-funded programs that serve people with disabilities
• Any public facility that a state has designated as a voter registration agency.

If you are outside of the U.S., you can get information online from the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) or call an international FVAP hotline.

It is possible to use your school’s e-mail address, but it is highly recommended that you use an e-mail address that one will use after school.  Remember that voting is a privilege and we get to vote for our higher officials and determine the future of our country.