Instructions: 

1. Watch and listen to the 60-Second Civics video below. If you'd like, you can also read along using the script that appears below the quiz. Or you can turn on the video's subtitles and read while watching the video.
2. Take the Daily Civics Quiz. If you get the question wrong, watch the video again or read the script and try again.

Episode Description:
Most American citizens 18 years of age and older have the right to vote and choose our representatives who make our laws. But, what is essential about that right is your obligation to cast an informed and responsible vote. Everyone can play an important role in promoting more informed and responsible choices in our communities. Listen to this podcast to learn how!

Being an Informed Citizen: Active Citizenship, Part 1

Welcome to 60-Second Civics from the Center for Civic Education. I’m Mark Gage.

In the ancient Roman republic, being a citizen was considered to be a great honor, and certain duties were required of citizens.

In fact, Roman citizens were expected to be well informed and promote the common good.

This informed the Framers of the U.S. Constitution, who recognized that only the people themselves could truly guarantee the success or failure of the American system of representative government.

In this spirit, years later Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis would write that “the most important political office is that of the private citizen.”

Most American citizens 18 years of age and older have the right to vote and choose our representatives who make our laws.

But it is your obligation to cast an informed and responsible vote.

To do this, take some time to get to know the candidates’ views on political issues by visiting their websites, reading articles about them on reputable news sites, and watching debates.

You can also read the nonpartisan ballot guide that is sent to voters in many states.

And be sure to read up on ballot measures, too. 

Many states, such as California, allow voters to recall politicians and to decide some legislative proposals in a direct vote.

The future of our nation depends on your informed decisions at the ballot box. 

Doing your research and spending time on making yourself an informed voter shows that you are a responsible citizen who is committed to the common good.

This episode was made possible by the support of T-Mobile.

60-Second Civics, where civic education only takes a minute.