Believe it or not, we've finally reached the culmination of election season. As the contentious race between Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Gary Johnson, Jill Stein, Deez Nuts, and Vermin Supreme has heated up, social media has been buzzing with chatter about the results of the election; rallies have brought people together to ; and you've likely had at least one awkward dinner-table conversation with someone who didn't agree with your politics. All of that aside, though, the answer is upon us: on November 8th, we will elect the next President of the United States! While they won't take office until January, it's still important for all Americans ages 18 and up, regardless of their political views, to get out and vote! Here are 7 reasons why:
1) It's a civic responsibility: in considering yourself part of the American social sphere, it's critical to try to be a part of political processes and change.
2) America prides itself on being a democracy: some countries don't allow citizens to have play such an active part in the political sphere. It's therefore a privilege to actually have your voice heard, and not one that should be taken advantage of!
3) Your voice matters. Even though the Electoral College does play a big role in determining the election (see: Bush v. Gore [2000]), the voice of the American people still play a critical role in how the Electoral College runs and the overarching outcome of the election.
4) The President can have a serious impact on the political climate of the United States. For example, it is possible that the President might appoint up to five Supreme Court justices, who will play a tremendous role in determining the country's social and legal trajectory.
5) Foreign policy is highly shaped by the President. As the Commander-in-Chief of the military, the President is entrusted with the responsibility of determining when and where our United States military goes into combat, making it critical to elect someone who you feel could do right by our troops.
6) Even though the presidential election has overshadowed a lot of the other political experiences currently going on, more is at stakes in national and local politics. In this election season, one-third of the Senate is up for re-election, the entire House of Representatives could be swayed, and some gubernatorial elections are occurring, and various local political leaders are seeking seats. Therefore, there's a lot more than meets the eye this election season, and for the sake of your town, state, and nation, it's critical to get out and vote!
7) Despite the fact that there are many logistical obstacles to voting, the law explicitly grants every United States citizen the right to vote, which hasn't always been the case. And while de jure victories don't inherently guarantee de facto realities, there's something to be said for the fact that, over the course of one hundred years, scores of formerly disenfranchised individuals have been given the right to vote. It's important, then, to actually execute your right to vote whenever possible.
