Basically, I feel all important.

Voting is a big thing to me. It may be the way I was raised, but so many people died to give us that right it just seems fair that we do it. It takes just a few minutes, depending on the lines, and can change things forever.

Where I do believe that everyone has the right to vote, and should, I also believe that you should be well informed on who you vote for. The only thing worse than a non-voter is an ignorant one. I don't think you should just go out there and pick any name simply because you've been told to vote. Take some time, do some research, and vote for the candidate that best represents your views and where you stand.

It's not only your future, but your future children's future that is being decided. Do something about it.

I was able to register to vote when I was 17 years and 10 months and did so. The day I turned 18, my card was officially valid and I was proud! One of the first things I did was help get signatures to get a Texas gubernatorial candidate on the ballot. I was a senior in high school and had people mock me for doing it, but I didn't care. I was doing what I could to help and it made me feel good.

I've voted in every election since then and even if my candidates haven't always won, I've voted, which is a lot more than most people can say.

This year, I'm taking it on step farther. I work with a lady at church who is married to the Republican Party Chairman for our county. I'd mentioned how my Political Science teacher told us we could volunteer and work the polls for the primary elections and I was thinking about doing it. Her eyes got big as she told me her husband was still looking for people to help and would I please e-mail him if I was wanting to do it.

A few e-mails, two phone calls later and one very long training video later, I was officially an election judge. I'm nervous as all get out and am still not quite sure I know exactly what I'm doing, but I have a book that the County Clerk assures me has everything I need in it to guide me through it all.

It's going to be a long day, I have to be there at 5:30 AM and was told I should be done with everything by 9:00, but I'm excited. Yes it's my first time and I don't quite know how everything is going to pan out, but I have faith that it'll all work out. I'm excited to be experiencing this. I'm putting myself in a challenging situation, interacting with strangers and that's a HUGE thing for me.

I'm getting out there and helping my community. I'm there so people can vote. I'm there so people can have the chance to possibly change things. Maybe I'm young and maybe I don't have much experience in politics, but that's just it. I'm young. I'm America's future whether I like it or not and I'm doing my part to make sure I've done what I can to make it a good one.

As for now, I'm going to go pile up in the middle of the living room and sort through everything. I've had two people call me to verify that they were going to be there in the morning, one of which is one of my best friends.

I have a nifty bag that makes me feel important. That in and of itself guarantees tomorrow will be a good day! :)