This presidential election has got to be one of the most exciting and important ever, so don't squander your chance to be part of history. Start by taking precautions to make sure your vote counts. If you're worried about voter fraud, malfunctioning voting machines or need to double-check your registration status, take these simple steps in the right -- or left - direction.

If you have any doubts about your voter registration status, now's the time to check on that. With the help of the Web, that's easy. Go to CanIVote.org or Google Vote, and follow a couple of simple steps to check on your registration. I just checked on my status by choosing my state first. Both sites bring you to a form, which asks for your name, birthdate, and county. Voila. Not can you confirm your registration status (Hooray! Mine is "active"), but you can also find your polling place and get directions. Both sites also tell you what kind of identification you should bring with you. The video on the right is Google's tutorial for using their site.

Find out if you can vote before Nov. 4th, if your state permits early voting and you don't want to deal with lines on Election Day. An easy way to check on this is through the Know How to Vote website, which allows you to simply fill in your state abbreviation. What comes up is your state's information about early voting and absentee ballot deadlines. This is a handy device for anyone who's still not sure. 

Do you know what mechanical device you'll be using on Election Day? In New York, I'll be using a mechanical lever machine. I found that out by checking with VerifiedVoting.org, a website run by a non-partisan foundation dedicated to improving the way we vote in this country (much of this concern sprung from the Florida voting debacle in 2000). VerifiedVoting has a big U.S. map on its home page, and you can click on your state to learn more about how you'll vote and with what. States using electronic voting machines have experienced some problems with "dropped" votes, so vote slowly and deliberately. If you have any Election Day problems, VerifiedVoting urges you to call their hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE. To find your polling place or see more information about machines, you can also go to Vote411.org.

It can't hurt to make a list now of your county and state election officials, in case you need to make a call on Nov. 4th to ask last-minute questions about your registration or voting locations. You can find this list and more information at the Overseas Vote Foundation website, which offers a list by state of election officials and more handy information. 

What better way to lend a hand in ensuring that voting goes smoothly than to become a poll worker? If you have the time and you're interested, check the CanIVote website, where they have information for would-be poll workers by state and county. The site provides names and phone numbers where you can sign up to work at the polls. 

The best thing you can do on Election Day is vote early -- on your way to work, if possible. The lines are shorter and if you run into any problems voting, you'll have time to sort out those problems before the day is over and you run out of options. 

It's wise to bring a government-issued ID, such as a driver's license or social security card, even if it's not required. An over-eager poll worker or unforeseen problems with voting machines might throw all regulations out the window, so you're better safe than sorry. A cell phone will give you access to voter assistance if you need it. 

This advice is especially important if you're voting on an electronic voting machine, where some initial problems have been experienced by voters. There is a review screen that permits you to follow along as you're voting. Make sure that it accurately reflects your vote. If the machine also produces a paper record of your vote, also check that for accuracy. If you see anything wrong with the way the machine is operating, speak to a polling attendant and don't leave the polling place until your correct votes are recorded.

Both presidential candidates have helpful information on their websites about voter fraud, rumors about voting rights, and other information. Check out Barack Obama's Voter Protection Center or John McCain's website, where you can find out how to "Ensure an Honest Election." 

The 21st century is such an exciting time and this year's presidential election is about as exciting as it can get. In that spirit, PBS and YouTube are teaming up to encourage voters to participate in Video Your Vote, a project in which voters can videotape the voting process where they vote and submit the videos to PBS for possible use on election night. Why not be a part of the public record by bringing a videocamera with you?

Be sure to check the laws for your state about videotaping at polling places. Check the Harvard University Citizen Media Law site, which is working with the PBS/YouTube efforts to provide legal information for you. 

Now -- go out there and vote! No excuses!