What does a US senator really do and why is voting in this election so important?

Because your senators will be voting on laws that will affect every aspect of your life, from health care and education to reproductive rights and gun safety, you need a senator that represents your values and fights for your community.

The Senate is one half of the legislative branch, which enacts new laws or changes existing laws. The other part of the legislative branch is the House of Representatives. 

Senators play a key role in passing laws. In order to pass legislation and send it to the president for his or her signature, both the House and the Senate must pass the same bill by a majority vote. A bill is first voted on by the House of Representatives. If a majority of the representatives pass the bill, it then goes on to the Senate. If a bill passes the Senate, it will go on to the president to either be signed into law or vetoed.

In addition to enacting new laws or changing existing laws, the Senate also establishes the annual budget for the federal government.

The Senate is comprised of 100 senators, two for each state. Senators are elected to six-year terms by popular vote. Their elections are staggered so that about one-third of the Senate is up for reelection every two years. The vice president of the US is president of the Senate and may cast the decisive vote in the event of a tie in the Senate.

A senator must be at least 30 years of age, a US citizen for a minimum of nine years, and a resident of the state that he or she represents.

Because your senators will be voting on laws that will affect every aspect of your life, from health care and education to reproductive rights and gun safety, you need a senator that represents your values and fights for your community. Make sure you know who’s running for senate in Florida and make your voice heard by exercising your right to vote.

Are you ready to vote? Make sure to check your voter registration status, see who’s on your ballot, and make a voting plan here.