• Step 1: Register.
• Step 2: Vote.

That’s it. In every state except North Dakota, all you have to do to vote is register at least a month or so prior to the election and then show up to vote. North Dakota doesn’t even require you to register. If you’re out of state on Election Day, you can also file an absentee ballot and vote through the mail. (Oregon actually does all voting by mail.)

Registering to vote sounds difficult, but it’s surprisingly easy. First, you must be a United States citizen and be at least 18 years old on or before Election Day. Once you’ve got those basics covered, all you do is fill out a form with the following info, all of which you probably know by heart:

• Name
• Home Address
• Mailing Address
• Date of Birth
• Telephone Number
• ID Number (Social Security no. or state issued ID no.)
• Choice of Party (optional)

Rock the Vote lets you register to vote from anywhere in the United States using the National Mail Voter Registration Form. You can easily access the form on their website at www.rockthevote.com or from SparkNotes’ SparkVotes website at www.sparknotes.com/election. Print it out, fill out the info, send it in, and you’ll be all set. For some reason Wyoming and New Hampshire don’t accept this form, but you can register in those states (or in any other state) with forms readily available at post offices, libraries, the DMV, or armed forces recruiting offices. The government has made voter registration so easy that not registering to vote is no excuse not to vote. Just do it.