Civic engagement "means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values, and motivation to make that difference. It means promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes" (Ehrlich, 2000, p. vi). Voting is one method of political civic engagement. By voting, you are demonstrating your support for an individual, law, or stance and influencing the results of an election. Having the right to vote has been a long, hard-fought battle in the U.S. requiring multiple amendments and acts that permitted different populations voting rights (15th amendment allowed black men to vote, 19th amendment allowed most women to vote, 24th amendment eliminated the poll tax, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 ended Jim Crow laws). Learn about the history of voting in the U.S. as well as other ways to participate in civic engagement through the Library's resources below.

Sources
Ehrlich, T. (2000). Civic Responsibility and Higher Education. Oryx Press.
National Geographic. (2020). Why voting is important.
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/why-voting-important/