Vote is a common way for people to make decisions together. It can be used in groups such as a club, society or company to decide on issues. It can also be used in a democracy to elect people to office. In an election, voters choose their preferred candidates from a list of options. Often the winner is determined by a majority. A minority can be a problem when deciding a policy, which is why voting systems have been developed to reduce this risk.
You may vote early in person or by mail. To be eligible to vote, you must be registered. You can register online or in person. You must re-register if you have moved or your registration information has changed, including your name or address. To verify your identity, you must provide a photo ID and proof of address. You can get help registering or getting your ballot if you need it.
In a republic or representative democracy, people vote to elect representatives to represent them and make policy decisions on their behalf. The procedures for determining winners based on votes vary between countries and political offices. These procedures are called electoral systems. Mathematicians and economists study them as part of a field of study called social choice theory.
Some poor people around the world are not allowed to vote. They may not have the right to vote because they are homeless or they live in slums or informal settlements. In some cases, they are not allowed to vote because they have been excluded from citizenship by the state. In other cases, they are not allowed to vote because of a conviction or have been declared mentally incompetent by a court.