Did you know that if you are at least 17 years and 10 months old and a US citizen, you have the power to vote in the upcoming election this November 5th, 2024? As a youth voter, don’t underestimate the power of one vote! Create your own future, take action, and register to vote.
The registration deadline for the November 5th Election is just around the corner on October 7, 2024! No matter what political party or issues you support, speak up through your vote and encourage those around you to do the same. But why does voting matter? Every vote you make, whether for a nationwide presidential election, or a local community, such as electing local officials or city mayor, matters. Youth voters hold the power to shape the future of society, and being active and educated in the process of elections is a crucial part of having that responsibility and privilege.
By being a young voter, you can write your own future. You can help stand up for a cause you believe in and that can make our world a better place for you and your future generations. Yes, every vote matters and is crucial, but as a youth voter, your vote is even more important as it sets up the present for the future. Civic responsibility is the act of involvement in a community’s public life. That is what voting is: a fundamental civic responsibility.
It is critical that you take action and register to vote by taking these easy steps by October 7th:
Register by mail
You must be at least 17 years and 10 months old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of the state where you plan to vote. There are many ways to register, which makes this process a whole lot easier. One way to register is by mail. In Texas, you can do this by printing out a voter registration form, filling it out, and then mailing it to your local election office (find your local one here).
Register in person
Mailing is not the only way! You could also go in person. Here is a link that provides the list of County Voter Registration Officials. Looking more locally, here are the Harris County branch locations where you could also go to register in person. You could also locate certain public libraries, U.S. Postal Service offices or even state office locations for the departments of public safety near you as these locations typically have registration as well.
Not yet 18?
Texas permits a person who is 17 years and 10 months of age to register. Even if you do not turn 18 until November 5th, you can register to vote!
Not sure if you are already registered?
If you aren’t sure if you are already registered, you can check this website.
Early Voting
Don’t let wait times or your busy schedule deter you from voting–students can check Harris County’s voting information website, harrisvotes.com, to find early voting locations and estimated wait times.
Additional Resources
If you need any more information, or just want to learn more about your civic duties, check out these websites!
