Election day is fast approaching, which means candidates and their supporters are doing last minute campaigning trying to get more voters on their side. November 8th is the day when American citizens go and vote for their president, members of Congress, and local elected officials. Unfortunately many do not exercise that right and forgo the opportunity to have a say in their democracy.

About a year and a half ago I started that long process of becoming an American citizen through naturalization. I started this difficult process because the United States is my home, my country, and I wanted to be able to participate in our democracy. I recently had my citizenship interview and all went well, but I do not officially become a U.S. citizen until I take my oath of allegiance. Unfortunately, the next oath ceremony takes place after the voter registration deadline for my state and therefore I will not be able to have my voice heard in this year’s election.

As a person who sees voting as a duty for the citizens of this country, it truly saddens me that people do not make the effort to vote for something that truly matters. Something that could ultimately shape the history of this country. It is said that change starts from the bottom up. That ͢͢͢is why people need to get out and vote in every election no matter how big or how small. You might think that your vote does not matter, but it does. As a citizen of this nation, you have an obligation to do your part in our democracy.

Sometimes individuals decide to not vote because they believe it is too much work or because it isn’t worth it. But registering to vote and going to the polls, either on election day or during the early voting period, is easier than a lot of the things you’ll do in an average week. That is despite GOP efforts to change that. This website tells you the voter registration deadline and early voting dates for your state, and helps you register to vote in the comfort of your home, you just have to sign the form and mail it in. The last step you actually need to do is to get out and actually cast a ballot. The Texas voter registration deadline is October 11th and the early voting period is from October 24th to November 4th. Your vote matters, so go out and vote on the issues that matter to you, whatever they may be.

Do not expect change to happen if you only vote in the presidential election or do not vote at all. Do not let others do the voting for you and make decisions that will ultimately impact you in one way or another. You cannot decide not to vote then complain about the outcome because your interests are not being represented. As President Obama said ‘Don’t boo, vote!’ — those are words we should learn to live by.