Taylor Swift

CELEB VOTER WATCH! Taylor Swift casts early ballot in Tennessee

Taylor Swift via thatscountry.com

First-time voter Taylor Swift waited in line for an hour and a half to cast her ballot on the last day of the early voting period in Sumner County, Tenn., last Thursday.

"I wasn't going to be able to vote on Nov. 4 because I'm going to be in L.A.," the 18-year-old star told People.com.

The queue "wrapped around the building," she said. Still, the experience was "worth the wait" and made her feel "so completely American."

"I feel like I really accomplished something special," said Taylor, who passed the time signing autographs. "You're like, 'Wow, there's going to be a long line, there's going to be a lot of effort involved,' but afterwards you feel so good."

Taylor continued: "I've never, ever seen in any election the passion about voting before in people my age. Everyone I know is obsessed with their opportunity to vote. I see people getting involved and there is something really, really beautiful about that."

So who'd she vote for: McCain or Obama? Taylor replied that she "can't share" that information, but said "I went with my gut instinct."

Be a part of the Do Something generation that's going to make history in record numbers tomorrow -- be like Taylor and VOTE! But first, have a quick glance at terms about voting you should be familiar with before you head to the polls!

Country girl with a cause

via frontrowking.com

Taylor Swift proved that she's more than just a pretty face when she donated $100,000 to flood victims at the local Red Cross in Cedar Rapids, Iowa earlier this month. The country sweetheart touched citizens of the town with her donation, and even gave the town a suprise concert.

"The people in this town have been through so much loss this year, and my heart goes out to them," Swift tells PEOPLE.

Just two months after Cedar Rapids suffered from millions of dollars in damages, not to mention thousands of job losses after the Cedar River overflowed into the town, Swift is reaching out to make a difference for the community.

The gorgeous Swift, who was nominated on Friday for Best New Artist at the upcoming MTV Music Video awards, isn't letting her rising star status get to her head.

Swift is no stranger to giving back. Earlier this summer, the singer donated her merchandise sales from the CMA Music Festival to the Nashville Red Cross.

Let's face it, anyone who donates their 18th birthday gift: a brand-new pink pickup truck, to childrens camp for kids with serious mental conditions, is seriously AMAZING.

CGG says: Rock on Taylor!

Contributed by CGG youth reporter Julia Maolucci