It's been a long, contentious battle to decide the next U.S. president, but decision day is finally here. NBC News asked you to tell us why you cast your ballot.
We wanted to know your story about voting in the 2016 election, whether it was for Republican Donald Trump, Democrat Hillary Clinton or a third party candidate like Gary Johnson or Jill Stein.
Are you a first time voter, or someone who hasn't skipped an Election Day in decades? Send us a photo of yourself casting your vote — just make sure it's legal to do so in your state.
Share your experience in words, photos or video using the hashtag #MyVoteStory on Twitter or Instagram, and we may feature you in our Election Day coverage.
Here are some our readers have shared with us so far:
#myvotestory Lavern Lowe, age 100. Born before women could vote. Proudly votes for first women to run for president in United States pic.twitter.com/x1BbxUGBrv
— Jacky Lowe (@micetro_1) October 31, 2016
@NBCNews As an AA woman I was not considered equal or even 3/5. It's my privilege & obligation to vote #myvotestory #vote #earlyvote #gapol pic.twitter.com/OFoQfTxx1w
— Dr Sylvia Morris (@DrSylviaMorris) October 30, 2016
Thanks for making early voting by mail so effortless, Minnesota. Democracy in action. #MyVoteStory pic.twitter.com/yqQBNxc98A
— Steven Mosborg (@mosborg) October 31, 2016
I vote because I remember when my grandmother, a black woman in Mississippi, could not. @TheLastWord #MyVoteStory https://t.co/HmpHDPl7Bq
— Kay Bolden (@KayBolden) October 31, 2016
@NBCNews I voted 2 weeks ago. I vote in every election, midterm, primaries & Presidential because it's my civic duty. #MyVoteStory pic.twitter.com/lFQ4lMa80f
— Ruth Ann (@Fairy_Gmother) October 29, 2016
I voted because I believe in our Democracy & I hope to see the opportunity in this country continue for my children#ImWithHer#MyVoteStory pic.twitter.com/X2IzC4hZ5I
— Will L (@will_lv76) October 31, 2016
#myvotestory I can't vote yet, but we're organizing and getting out the vote, building power. @NBCNews pic.twitter.com/yg2DGrZFyg
— Luis Angel Aguilar (@aguilarworks) October 30, 2016
@NBCNews #MyVoteStory. I've voted for over 40 years. My son an elected official won by 108 votes. I know first hand. Each vote counts
— Pamm Peterson (@pammpeterson) November 2, 2016
#MyVoteStory because, "women's rights are human rights..." #WhyIVote #Election2016 #earlyvoting pic.twitter.com/AINacNvEX0
— Emilia Hodgson (@emiliahodgson) November 2, 2016
@NBCNews I want my daughters to know how important it is to find & exercise their voice. I want to model engaged citizenship. #MyVoteStory pic.twitter.com/0ZNhlfLcTz
— Suzanne Chod (@smchod) November 2, 2016
My parents taught me that voting is my civic duty, so I've voted every election since my 18th b-day, years ago. #ImWithHer #myvotestory pic.twitter.com/XCnypxZXad
— ANITA MARIE (@kytaxlady) November 3, 2016
Early voting today. Voted for her first time ever... in her fuzzy slippers. If @BubbleSinger can do it, so can you! #myvotestory pic.twitter.com/EvecOKYE7U
— GGBG Inc (@GrandBronyGala) November 3, 2016
I took 4 kids with me when I early voted to show them the importance of voting️ Ages from 5 to 17️️️ #myvotestory ️️ pic.twitter.com/l27BrOLO2n
— Pink (@PynkMartini) November 3, 2016
@NBCNews I take my gkids to school, forgot my purse, Day 1&2, no poll @ previous place Day3. Voted on Day4. Moral:MyVoteCounts #MyVoteStory pic.twitter.com/OWNevL0Wnh
— billye moutra (@bilibu) November 3, 2016
They warn you about the wait...u believe it...until u ACTUALLY stand in line for 3hrs...would do it all over again! #my1stvote #myvotestory pic.twitter.com/7IVPevj4K7
— Tania Siri (@TaniaSiri) November 3, 2016
#Myvotestory first time voting !! pic.twitter.com/4NS1rDfOLY
— Chase J. Galvan (@gamergalvan) November 4, 2016
#MyVoteStory
— AshleyBrooks (@livie0814) November 4, 2016
Took my family to vote. pic.twitter.com/6I4U0bwX7I
#MyVoteStory #imwithher First gift, 18 birthday: registered to vote. Have voted in every election since! ️USA, and voting gives me a voice! pic.twitter.com/CPXxNWBK0t
— LilAeris (@lilaeris_9) November 4, 2016
@NBCNews Oregon votes by mail! Vote cast 2 weeks ago! #myvotestory pic.twitter.com/8KfXZiKcKp
— MrsAugustyn (@mrsaugustyn) November 4, 2016
@NBCNews #MyVoteStory My mother and I voted last week! pic.twitter.com/1HT158ETpd
— Jak Blunt (@bj_blunt) November 4, 2016
@NBCNews Voted with my daughter 2 days ago for her 1st general. #MyVoteStory pic.twitter.com/kv26Hmm9mJ
— Kim J. (@OldLineDem) November 5, 2016
Took my daughter to vote today to teach her the importance of making your voice heard through your vote. #myvotestory #FirstTweet pic.twitter.com/pzuPr8NlbJ
— Crystal Steele (@houseofSteele69) November 5, 2016
@NBCNews Perhaps one day I will have the chance to vote for her but until then I'll vote with her #myvotestory pic.twitter.com/DOlGK0BkmW
— Jackie Cannon (@msmeggiesmom) November 5, 2016
#MyVoteStory I am 63 and a 1st time voter. I am voting to honor the Voting Rights Act of 1964. This election is critical. Let's all vote. pic.twitter.com/gSm6SA5Lf4
— Darryl Stewart (@MrMint100) November 5, 2016
#myvotestory...Their votes count. pic.twitter.com/HSRkcPBBcM
— Tatiana Hursh-Eslava (@HurshTatiana) November 5, 2016
#myvotestory...Casting his absentee vote for the first time! pic.twitter.com/AvlBFGd8HJ
— Tatiana Hursh-Eslava (@HurshTatiana) November 5, 2016
#myvotestory I walked to early voting in FL with my little helper! #msnbc pic.twitter.com/1DbwbT6VRc
— just gina (@DeSousaGina) November 5, 2016
@MSNBC #MyVoteStory voted early! My mom did not live long enough. Brought her with me to cast vote :) Amazingly powerful moment. pic.twitter.com/oSs3saPoB0
— linda clements (@all1species) November 5, 2016
#MyVoteStory @NBCNews Wife and oldest son - a first time voter! pic.twitter.com/LEmAkn0em7
— Gregory Fields (@GfieldsQ18) November 5, 2016
@NBCNews My daughter's 1st pres. election! Discussed the issues & filled out ballots at a coffeeshop. ️mail-in voting! #myvotestory pic.twitter.com/teMib4iabQ
— Laurie London (@LaurieBLondon) November 5, 2016
MD early votining showing the nation how its done. Voted w/ mom this year. We cheered on 1st time voters & selfie station. #MyVoteStory pic.twitter.com/Ou9fIt6Ia0
— Bre (@SevrenLuna) November 5, 2016
#myvotestory It is not only a privilege, but a civil duty to vote. I choose to vote Absentee in case I'm out of town. pic.twitter.com/DqFv9K6QqZ
— Jeannette DeConde (@seasidemom) November 7, 2016
I vote to protect my disabled adult son. A voice for those who cannot have one. #MyVoteStory pic.twitter.com/UNRa5ecItC
— carlie vanwilligen (@Carlie_MursMom) November 7, 2016
After 18 years of waiting I made my first vote. Feels great. I believe that my vote will matter.#myVotestory@nbcnews pic.twitter.com/Us7yzpaew0
— Matthew Burden (@DRK_MattB_) November 6, 2016
Today I voted in honor of all of my ancestors who couldn't. #MyVoteStory pic.twitter.com/OL8Dbk67Wn
— rmd (@rachelmecca4) November 6, 2016
5.5 hour wait in Indiana Saturday #MyVoteStory pic.twitter.com/DpwHC3pIiu
— Aura Day (@aura_day) November 6, 2016
#MyVoteStory-I voted early cuz my parents endured literacy tests & gerrymandering; my children live inclusively...this is MY America! pic.twitter.com/GUlxXDf8F4
— AJ & Angelica's Mom (@Nancybwash) November 6, 2016
So proud to vote with my grandmother, mother & daughter! Strong women helping to make history! #myvotestory pic.twitter.com/EnpQiBLqiA
— Kelly Barefoot (@KellyBarefoot5) November 7, 2016
I VOTE because my dad marched with MLK & taught us the price paid for freedom is high. #mydad #MyVoteStory @NBCnews pic.twitter.com/bd0q1XEahS
— Luahn (@luahngigi) November 8, 2016
@NBCNews - As a lawyer, the balance of the U.S. Sup Ct impacts the world even from #Australia. The USA must stay beacon of hope #myvotestory pic.twitter.com/Eufcxbxgnf
— Evan B. Brandes (@EvanBrandes) November 8, 2016
@NBCNews Cast my early vote last wk. Very emotional for me this yr, as the granddaughter of a woman who once picked cotton. #MyVoteStory pic.twitter.com/dMQppPdMv4
— freelancejournalist (@freelancerjourn) November 8, 2016
I voted early for 1st time since 1976, at San Diego Registrar‘s Office. Took a nice trip thru history w/ this button display. #MyVoteStory pic.twitter.com/lMV252q6oq
— Carol Hagey (@cmhagey) November 8, 2016
#MyVoteStory is that, like many married couples in the USA, our vote was split along gender lines. Strong political views but mutual respect pic.twitter.com/Pb0bn4RgsX
— Missy Milton (@MissyMMilton) November 7, 2016
@NBCNews Cast my early vote last wk. Very emotional for me this yr, as the granddaughter of a woman who once picked cotton. #MyVoteStory pic.twitter.com/dMQppPdMv4
— freelancejournalist (@freelancerjourn) November 8, 2016
#myvotestory She's seen it her whole life - always w/me in the voting booth. Now SHE gets to vote for POTUS for the 1st time. #GoVote. pic.twitter.com/sJkXZuWnug
— Kim Knight (@kimmiemacknight) November 8, 2016
As a first time #latino voter, I #voted to keep America open for immigrants like me #election2016 #myvotestory #firsttimevoter pic.twitter.com/cTZOFfaHgn
— Jorge Escobar (@jor3scobar) November 8, 2016
"A house divided against itself cannot stand" - Abe Lincoln
— Brad Hakim (@BHakim19) November 8, 2016
I voted to bring the American people together, not divide us apart #MyVoteStory pic.twitter.com/F337lWe39y
#myvotestory I exercised my right today to vote, special thanks to my ancestors, because of you! 🤗🤗 pic.twitter.com/U2Lm6T0o6X
— Marquesa Pettway CSP (@SpeakerTalk) November 8, 2016
#Myvotestory My 19 y/o daughter has been waiting to vote for President since she was 5. Today's (Hamilton-themed) response: "Awesome. Wow." pic.twitter.com/HU25lkTJJR
— J.A. Ric (@Jarice) November 8, 2016
I vote because my grandmother never voted. Her husband said her vote wouldn't ever count or be counted. #MyVoteStory pic.twitter.com/Idf479iGb8
— Kenya Johnson (@KenyaJohnsonAZ) November 8, 2016
@NBCNews #myvotestory A family first, together at polls at 5:55 a.m. Imagined my parents, greatest generation, smiling down in approval. pic.twitter.com/gHyqwn7o4h
— Sharon Donohue (@SharonDonohue74) November 8, 2016
#myvotestory Independence hall on election eve. 1st time voting @NBCNews pic.twitter.com/AeJfWvYTlW
— Kimberly Riordan (@kimberlyrior) November 8, 2016
#vote2016 #myvotestory pic.twitter.com/4mxkwLTr2R
— Naji-Lux (@FashionAves) November 8, 2016
#myvotestory Because #AsianAmericans like myself have a voice and will NOT be ignored. Because many have died so I can have the right. pic.twitter.com/R1GurQoq5v
— JonA (@JonathanAbad187) November 8, 2016
I vote because generations of my family endured hardships I can't imagine for my rights. #MyVoteStory pic.twitter.com/chOXgxbb56
— Mongo Slade Jr. (@MoonDunIt) November 8, 2016
#myvotestory My grandmother: immigrant, factory worker, taxpayer, wife, mother of five, no known voting record. She's my Susan B! #EriePA pic.twitter.com/nScJbnuEKc
— Marisa Moks-Unger (@MarisaMMU) November 8, 2016
#myvotestory Giving my kids a country that is even safer, healthier, more inclusive, fair, just and prosperous than it already is now. pic.twitter.com/suRP5OPayy
— Mike Seilback (@Seilback) November 8, 2016
