With November 8th rapidly approaching, it's your time to go out and vote. If you're still on the fence about whether you'll show up to your voting center, check out these ten super important reasons why you cannot sit this election out.
1. It’s going to be close.
News channels are going wild trying to predict the outcome of the election. Who’s going to win? And by how much? Your opinion honestly matters a lot.
2. It only comes once every four years.
If you don’t vote this time, you’re going to have to wait another four years to do so! Four years is a long time – that’s the entire time you spent in high school. You definitely do not want to blow this off and say, “Eh, I’ll just vote next time!" because "next time" is pretty far away.
3. People have died for you to have this right.
To make use of your voting right would be an acknowledgment and thanks to those who have suffered and fought for you to be able to do this.
4. It honestly takes 10 minutes.
10 minutes once every four years! That is nothing. You can do it on your lunch break, on a weekend, after work – whenever!
5. There’s other important stuff on that ballot that’s not just about the presidential candidates.
Amendments to the State constitution, local offices, and Congress included. Even if you’re not thrilled about any of the presidential candidates, they’re not the only thing on the ballot. Take the time and make important decisions about your state’s government, too.
6. You don’t get to complain later if you didn’t cast a vote.
You don’t like our new President ___, but you didn’t vote for another candidate? Not voting is implying that you’re totally fine with any outcome of the election. Don’t stay at home because you don’t like either Trump or Clinton. Keep in mind that you can even write in a candidate if you seriously don’t like any of the options. (Not saying that your write-in candidate is necessarily going to win, but you demonstrated that you don’t support the other candidates, and you expressed your opinion and made use of your right to vote.)
7. It’s so easy!
All you need is some form of ID. And if you’ve already registered beforehand at the DMV, you don’t need anything! If you’re currently out-of-state, filling out an absentee ballot is also really simple.
8. It's the biggest political event of the year.
And you get to be a part of it! Every campaign, debate, billboard, yard sign, and TV commercial has been leading up to this very moment. Take these ten minutes to be part of a truly historic election. (If the president happens to be female, you get to say that you voted in the election of the first female president!) You do not want to sit this one out.
9. It just feels really good.
And it’s so exciting! You can even post a “Just voted!” post on Facebook, Snapchat, wherever. Personally, it was my first time voting, and afterwards, I felt so accomplished. Plus, it’s overall a cool and unique experience!
10. You get a sticker.
Seriously? Get the sticker.
Honestly, if nothing else, just go write in Kanye's name. Go out and vote now!
