A voter is a person who has the right to participate in an election by casting a vote to help choose leaders or decide important issues. In the United States, citizens become eligible voters when they turn 18 and register to vote. When voters go to polling places on election day, they make choices about who should serve as president, senator, governor, mayor, and many other positions.

Voting is how democracies work: instead of one person making all the decisions, millions of voters each get a say. The candidate or option that receives the most votes (or sometimes a majority) wins.

Voters often learn about the candidates and issues before deciding. They might read about different positions, watch debates, or discuss ideas with family and friends. Some voters always support one political party, while others choose candidates from different parties depending on the election.

The word can also describe someone who votes in non-governmental elections. A voter might help choose the winner of a school election, a community award, or even a favorite book in a reading club. Whenever a group makes a decision by having people cast votes, those people are voters.