I rang the doorbell of a two-story brick house in southwest Houston. "Hello sir, I represent the Republican, Dr. John Sanchez, who will be running for Congress this November. Would you like any information regarding his platform?" Sanchez's new supporter enthusiastically volunteered to contribute to our campaign. By hopping on his lawn, I felt I had contributed in my own small way to our system of democracy. Every week during the summer of my senior year, I worked with Sanchez's busy team of volunteers. We followed endless lists of mail, phone calls and doorbells. The involvement allowed me to realize how much effort a campaign requires. My extraordinary experience triggered my political views and ideas for the future: welfare, taxes and healthcare. Perhaps if legislation required campaigning experience, young men and women would gain knowledge and interest in our political system. Political participation is critical because these young men and women will run our political system in the future. However, lowering the voting age is not the solution. Voting is a huge responsibility, requiring information about the candidates/issues. Most 18-year-olds, therefore, are capable of making wise and mature choices. The dilemma is fomenting the desire and convenience of voting. I suggest widespread online voting. The world is entering the twenty-first century with amazing technological advances. Schools, libraries and workplaces all have access to the Internet. Therefore, the availability of voting would skyrocket. Furthermore, voting would perhaps seem less complicated. Could voting be fun and rewarding? The graphics, sights and sounds of the Internet could appeal to young voters in America. Advertising campaigns and candidate information websites could raise awareness of the issue. Let's get young people excited about voting! Generally, the only government exposure for young men and women is a textbook high school course. While education about our democracy is critical, hands-on experience is necessary to energize young voters. Furthermore, the number of voters would certainly increase if Election Day was a public holiday. My mother called from work last November. "Honey, I'll be home as soon as I run to the polls. Dinner will be late tonight. The hospital was crazy today!" The door slammed when he finally got home; the polls were closed when he could get off work. Even my best friend, Amy, who works at Hallmark after school, complained to me about voting times. So if Election Day were a national holiday, we could tear up our list of excuses.