What Is Voting?

Ages 3-5 Simple Explanation

You know how sometimes your teacher asks the class to raise their hands to pick between two things, like which story to read or which game to play? That's voting! When you raise your hand, you're telling everyone what you want, and then the choice with the most hands wins.

Grown-ups vote too, but for much bigger things. They vote to pick the president, the mayor, and other people who will be in charge of making rules for the town and the country. Instead of raising their hands, they usually go to a special place and fill in a little circle on a piece of paper or press a button on a machine.

Voting is special because it means that every person's choice counts. It doesn't matter if you're tall or short, if you like pizza or tacos — when it's time to vote, your choice is just as important as anyone else's. That's what makes voting fair.

When you get bigger — 18 years old — you'll get to vote in real elections too! For now, you can practice voting at school or at home whenever your family makes a group decision. Every time you make your choice known, you're doing what voting is all about.

Ages 6-8 More Detail

Voting is the act of making an official choice, usually during an election. In the United States and many other countries, citizens vote to choose their leaders — like the president, senators, governors, and mayors. Some elections also let people vote directly on issues, like whether to build a new school or change a local rule.

On Election Day, people go to a polling place — which might be a school, a church, a library, or a community center — and cast their ballot. A ballot is the form where you mark your choices. Some people vote on paper, some use electronic machines, and some vote by mailing in their ballots ahead of time.

In the United States, you have to be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen to vote in government elections. You also have to register, which means signing up with your local government so they know you're eligible. Once you're registered, you can vote in elections for the rest of your life.

Voting wasn't always available to everyone. When the U.S. was first founded, only white men who owned property could vote. Over the years, people fought hard to change that. The 15th Amendment gave Black men the right to vote, and the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 helped remove barriers that were still keeping many Black Americans from voting.

Every election season, you might hear adults talking about candidates and issues, see signs in yards, or watch debates on TV. All of that is part of the process that helps voters decide who and what to vote for. The more informed a voter is, the better choices they can make for their community.

Ages 9-12 Full Explanation

Voting is the main way citizens in a democracy exercise their power. By casting a ballot, individuals choose the people who will represent them in government and, in some cases, decide directly on policies and laws. Voting is both a right and a responsibility — it's how ordinary people shape the direction of their country.

In the U.S., elections happen at many levels. Federal elections include voting for the president, U.S. senators, and members of the House of Representatives. State elections cover governors, state legislators, and other officials. Local elections determine mayors, city council members, school board members, and judges. There are also ballot measures and referendums, where voters decide directly on specific issues like funding for schools or changes to local laws.

The history of voting rights in America is a story of gradual expansion through hard-won struggles. The original Constitution left voting rules up to the states, and most states only allowed white, property-owning men to vote. The 15th Amendment (1870) prohibited denying the vote based on race. The 19th Amendment (1920) guaranteed women's right to vote. The 26th Amendment (1971) lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was especially important because it struck down tactics like literacy tests and poll taxes that had been used for decades to prevent Black Americans from voting.

During election season, candidates campaign by giving speeches, running advertisements, and participating in debates. Voters research candidates' positions on issues that matter to them — things like education, healthcare, the economy, and the environment. Many people also consider a candidate's character, experience, and leadership abilities. Being an informed voter means doing some homework before you step into the voting booth.

Despite how important voting is, many eligible Americans don't vote. In a typical presidential election, only about 60 to 65% of eligible voters actually cast a ballot, and in local elections, turnout can drop below 20%. People skip voting for many reasons — they feel their vote won't matter, they're too busy, they don't like any of the candidates, or they face barriers like limited polling hours or long lines. But every election has been influenced by turnout, and close races can be decided by just a handful of votes.

Even though you can't vote in government elections until you're 18, there are plenty of ways to engage now. Student government elections, class votes, and school clubs all use voting. Following the news, discussing issues with family, and understanding different viewpoints all prepare you to be a thoughtful voter. The habits you build now — thinking carefully, listening to different sides, and participating — will serve you well when your vote officially counts.