Among my most primal memories is going into the voting booth with my mother. She knew everyone of the poll workers and there was a tremendous sense of community. This was in the Astoria Housing Projects during the late 50s and early 60s. I have not missed an election, whether local or national since and always love to vote in person, speak with the other people on line and the poll workers about the turn-out. It is always a special and exciting day for me, even during elections when I was not particularly excited about the roster of candidates. This year it is especially exciting as there is more interest in the US Presidential election than there has been for decades. What a thrill!

When my children were young, I always took them to vote with me and we would talk about who I was voting for and why. When my son turned 18, I slipped a voter registration form into his birthday card. Imagine how proud I was when he opened it and said, "Mom, I'm already registered!"

I live in a country where vote buying for as low as $10 per is rampant (or it could be lower). Last year, cash handouts circulated in my hometown supposedly as a token of gratitude for know supporters of a particuloar candidate. It was the first time i had an actual brush with vote-buying. I went to the polls without accepting the money. What i did will not change the long-standing pernicious tradition, system or whatever you call it, but I had to say "No. My vote is my right and it is not for sale." Someone always has to say no than just heed the usual advice when vote buying occurs to "accept the money but vote for the canditate of your choice."

My first memory of voting sparked a tradition for me and my closest life long friend. As he was considered a politics buff and I a "jock", I was surprised that he invited me to go vote with him in the 2004 election. His knowledge of the way things work in Washington led him to believe that he wouldn't be the least bit suprised that black man would lead our nation someday, and by someday he meant in the near future. His girlfriend is quite active in the movement for the empowerment of women. It became quite amusing hearing them squabble over who would win the democratic ticket between Clinton and Obama. Although I may be a novice when it comes to government affairs, I thanks my luck stars that I have a Friend like Zander who will take the time to involve me in an important ritual in our nation's history.

For me, this 2008 Presidential Election is very important because it will be the first time I will participate in voting. I have never voted previously because I was not of age, being that I am extremely young for my academic standing, I gradually became very eager to contribute to this idea of democracy—“for the people.” It is evident that because of my Political Science and International Studies major, I am very involved, not only the United States’ government, but also strongly interested in other country’s government. Building on this, I am a firm believer that voting in this 2008 election will contribute to the fact that I am an active citizen that is aware that my vote does make a difference—even though in the United States we do have the electoral college. Another reason why I am so eager to participate in not only voting for the President, but also the propositions and measures, would be because I am the only person in my family that can vote. Being that both my parents and brothers are not U.S. citizens, my vote will not only reflect my personal opinions but also in a sense, gives my family a voice in this country. Although many people do not take advantage of this freedom, I am eager to participate and would urge everyone else (who are eligible) to do so as well.