how do i prepare myself to vote?

Read.

Find multiple sources of information and if you would like to be well informed rather thna jsut feel good choose at least one source that you do NOT agree with because that too can teach you.

I read as follows:

Drudge Reprt

Fox News

CNN

Used to read New York Times until I came to the conclusion they were ADVOCATING for US defeat in Iraq.

From my POV, Drudge is fairly neutral politically.

Fox is conservative and CNN in Liberal.

With these sources you will learn how to filter out most propaganda and get to the real facts about most issues.

Good luck.

That's one of the more profound statements on voting I've heard in a long time. Congratulate yourself for recognizing one of the biggest problems with our elections. The stupidity of the electorate. Now that you realize that you lack knowledge, all of us do, you can begin to inform yourself as best you can. Just don't listen to the main stream media like the rest of the people. Good job on recognizing this huge flaw in our election process. And just because you'll hear that it's your duty to vote, don't listen. Not voting is a vote in itself. It says that none of the candidates are acceptable, let me know when you have somebody worthy.

Start reading at least 5 minutes per day of political articles. Don't read the same news source everday. Switch it up so you read local liberal on Mondays, national conservative on Tuesdays, global libertarian on Wednesdays, etc.

Then, the week before the election, read the endorsements (and perhaps take a copy with you) . For the judges in Chicago I like to check three different endorsements, and if one judge is considered bad by 2 out of 3, I vote to fire him/her.

Start researching each and every candidate and their voting records or their views that they spew periodically. It is NOT about party politics, it is about intelligence. Read a college level American Government textbook so you know what the US Constitution is and what it says. NEVER believe in a president who tells everyone that the US Constitution is just "a goddamn piece of paper" (the chimp actually said that). A lot of blood was shed for that document!

Research all candidates. Go to websites that are not bias towards either party. Ask yourself what is most important to you and the country at this time. Oh, and this is very important...don't vote for Ralph Nader. He makes things so difficult for the election process...

Register.

Then study the issues and select the candidate that best represents your attitudes, beliefs and understanding of the direction you hope to see the country going in the next few years.

Apply the same concept to local elections as well.

THANK YOU for exercising this civic responsibility.

Read from a good variety of sources on various issues, including Newsmax, WorldNetDaily and the mainstream press. Do your own research on issues too, since 'news' outlets tend to have a political agenda and will often be misleading.

You will get a sample ballot just before the election so that you can review the politicians and the the issues before had. In the interim just study the issue and their ramifications.

Listen to debates...read a newspaper...watch news programs...watch editorial programs...ask political savvy people...read books. If all of this is too much, maybe you should leave it up to others. It takes years to learn about our government and, if you really want to vote, talk to someone you admire and vote with them.

Get good and drunk. Put on a blindfold. Go to the polling place and punch your ballot. Punch an election official on the way out the door.