Voting is a privilege that many Americans have fought and died to win and preserve. Lately, it seems like the right to vote is something that far too many Americans take for granted.

The District of Columbia is not a state, and we do not have representation in Congress as the states do. The year 1964 was the first that district residents were able to vote in a presidential election.

The nonvoting Delegate to the House of Representatives, a partially elected school board, the mayor, the council, and Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners are the only offices that DC voters choose when they go to the polls. There is also the Initiative, Referendum, and Recall process that residents can take advantage of to get issues on the ballot or remove undesirable officials from elected office.

It is everyone's civic responsibility to vote, but you must register first. In DC you can register to vote on the Driver's License Application form, or you can download a Voter Registration form from the Board of Elections and Ethics (BOEE) Web site. You must register to vote at least 30 days prior to election day.

According to the BOEE, to be eligible to register, you must satisfy all of the following:

• Be a U.S. citizen.

• Be a DC resident.

• Be at least 18 years old on or before the next election.

• Not be in jail for a felony conviction.

• Not have been adjudged "mentally incompetent" by
  a court of law.

• Not claim the right to vote anywhere outside DC

Be sure to check out the Web site of the Board of Elections and Ethics. There you will find voter information, polling places, forms, and guides.

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