I wish people would vote. We live in a society where everyone takes their freedom of speech extremely serious. When I mean serious, I mean people putting down people because they are different, shaming people for personal decisions, and just simply having an opinion about everything. According to the Virginia department of elections in 2014, only 43 percent of registered voters actually voted.

I hear many people say they didn't vote because their vote doesn't actually matter. Guess what? That's not true. Your vote does matter and it is your civic duty to vote. Prior to 1920, women did not have the right to vote. Women and men gathered in secret meeting places, rallied, marched and protested to have what so many people take for granted -- their right to vote.

The first president, George Washington was selected in 1789 by members of Congress. Prior to 1850, only white, male, property owners had the right to vote. By the 1870s, African American males were supposed to be granted the right to vote, but there were so many stipulations that made it nearly impossible for them to vote. It wasn't until 1957 that the Civil Rights Act was passed, eliminating most barriers in registering to vote. Native Americans were not granted the right to vote, or even be considered a citizen, until 1924.

So many people take for granted what our brave ancestors fought so hard for. If you have an opinion, you need to vote. And if you don't, then you really shouldn't beat your negative opinions about those elected into other people's head. If you shared your opinion and educated other people, you would understand that your vote matters.

Many people actually argue that in presidential elections the Electoral College makes it so that their vote really doesn't matter. Again, it actually does. I won't get into that this week, but next week I will argue in favor of the Electoral College. Having said that, presidential primaries are right around the corner. Register to vote, spread your opinions, educate others, educate yourself and vote. If your candidate doesn't win, it is not the end of the world, and only then, would I not mind to listen to you "complain." But if you don't vote, don't even try to complain to me because I won't listen.