Voting is a basic right and duty of every citizen. Even though you will not be eligible to vote until you are eighteen, you can still help by making sure the people you know who are 18 do vote. Many elections, especially local ones, are decided by a relative handful of votes. To learn more, check out the Rock the Vote website.

Even if you cannot vote, you should still make an effort to be informed about the issues. You'll be surprised who will want to know your opinion. More importantly, the more informed you are now, the better decisions you'll be able to make as a citizen as you gain more responsibility.

Even if you cannot vote, you can use your first amendment rights. Tell people your views. Start a blog on the internet, or update your Facebook page with issues that are important to you. Write your congressman. Engage your classmates about important issues. Most decisions that your elected officials make will affect you, either now or in the future.

Even though you are not eligible to vote or run for office, you can still participate in political campaigns. If you find a candidate that you like for office, he or she will always need help passing out flyers or distributing buttons. You can also get involved with issue groups that work to support particular causes. People are always looking for young, enthusiastic volunteers.

You can be a responsible citizen by serving your community. This may mean volunteering your time to serve the less fortunate or just being a respectful, law-abiding person. As you get older, you will be asked to serve on juries. All of these things help make a healthy, democratic community.