From the establishment of the constitution, voting has been a vital aspect of American life. Voting rights have always been pivotal in the United States, and are a way Americans can voice their opinions and promote democracy: the backbone of the nation. Voting in states is quite simple, though there are a few rules potential voters must know. Congressional elections determine who represents your state in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. They also decide which political party will hold a majority in each chamber of Congress for the next two years, until the next elections. Each state has a certain number of representatives based on their populations, and each is allowed two senators. This year, candidates are running to represent New Jersey’s twelve congregational districts in the house of representatives, and based on the majority vote by each citizen will the representatives be elected. The state of New Jersey allows any voter to request a ballot by mail or vote in person. New Jersey also offers early voting. Each voter must be a citizen of the United States, at least 17 years old, a resident of the State and county 30 days before the election and not serving a sentence of incarceration as the result of a conviction of any indictable offense under the laws of this or another state or of the United States. 

But why is voting so important? As sophomore Isaac Chen puts it, “Each person’s vote is important because collectively, our votes can greatly influence the results of an election.” Sophomore Rohan Shah continues, “It’s important for people to vote so that the politicians that are elected serve the best interests of the people. I think this year’s election is crucial for both parties because it hints at what the outcomes of the 2024 elections will be. Through this election, we will see how Americans respond to issues such as inflation. We will see what direction the country is headed in terms of support for political parties.” This year, there are more eligible voters than ever before, and the competition has heated up. 

Our nation was built on the ideal of freedom and equal opportunity for all. Voting is pivotal because it reinforces the right all Americans are promised, that every citizen deserves a say in their governance. This year, don’t forget to vote!