This day is a special day for all USA citizens. It is an honor to vote and one that we celebrate! Regardless of political party associations, US citizens are very proud and passionate about the ability to vote. Ask your host parents or other citizens what it means to be able to vote. I’m sure that you will have interesting and meaningful conversations to reflect on long after your au pair year ends!

The way in which people vote, depends on the state in which they live. In Oregon, all votes are cast by post and all votes have to be received at a given time on Election Day. In the state of Washington, nearly all people vote by post and the envelopes containing the voting papers have to be postmarked with the date of Election Day. In other states, people vote at voting stations, where long queues can form.  Here in Georgia we go to our assigned local voting place.  Many are in schools, firehouses, and community centers.

 The election process is somewhat complicated here in the USA. A president must win a majority of the electoral votes not the popular vote. For simple information about the USA political system go to http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/index.html