As civic duties go, nothing tops the act of casting one’s vote. And, in terms of self-interest, this is the one chance for ordinary citizens to elect not only their representative, but, in doing so, to help decide the policies that will affect them.

But what does the vote signify? What does casting a vote really mean? What should one consider before allocating their vote to a candidate?

This excellent refresher of the political science of voting is a great place to start if you're looking for answers to those questions.