This year, 32 million Latino citizens can vote in elections. Are you one of them? According to statistics, this election year, Latinos represent the largest "minority" who will vote in elections for president ... for the first time in history, they have even more voters than the African-American population.

Voting in elections is a great privilege, because it is your opportunity to help decide who will be president of the United States and who will represent you in the United States Congress (Representatives and Senators). At the same time, in the elections you can cast your vote for state and local officials as well as issues that will affect your state and community. Don't waste this opportunity – it's your right! The website aactnow.org, gives several reasons why each citizen should vote.

A summary of several of them:

Voting is more than just choosing a candidate, it's also choosing the right policies and people who reflect your interests regarding decisions that affect your community, state or country. By voting, you are participating in decisions related to health, immigration, employment, education, social security, taxes, and more.

Voting will affect your work. By voting for a member of Congress, President, Governor, and Legislators, they will make decisions that affect our minimum wage, wages, job security, and health insurance your employer will provide.

Vote for a better community. Elected officers and juries will make day-to-day decisions on laws that will affect your community, local authorities, crime prevention, trafficking, and where to build schools, parks, and recreational locations. If you don't vote, someone else will decide for you. Voting only takes a few minutes but the effect will last.

Steps ... 1. Find out in advance who the candidates are and what their platform is on crucial issues. As mentioned previously, your election ballot will not only include presidential candidates, but, depending on where you live, may include candidates for senators, representatives, and state and local officials. You can go to: https://ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup and https://www.vote411.org/ballot where you will put your address, and they will provide you with the corresponding information.

Investigate where and when you can vote based on your state. In many states you have the option to vote in advance, by mail or on November 3. An excellent resource to find options for your state is at: https://www.vote.org/polling-place-locator/

Go, vote and feel satisfied that you have participated in one of the great privileges of being an American citizen. Although it is not a perfect system... you can be sure that in the United States, your vote does count! Your vote does determine the final decision.

If you are not yet a U.S. citizen, and qualify, now’s the time to start the necessary paperwork ... and next time, you too will be able to exercise your vote. Keep in mind that while the presidential election is only every four years, at least every two years there are important state elections to elect governors, their representatives in the American and State Congress, and more. If you are concerned about critical decisions that will affect you, your family, and others, do whatever it takes to have a say in the next election.