There are many perks to turning 18, as you are able to buy a lottery ticket, buy tobacco (why would you though), and vote. I am 22 years old and this will be the first time voting for in the presidential election. I missed the 2012 Presidental Election by five days, but I registered to vote and have voted in every election since. I take my civic duty very seriously, but this time around I am scared. I am scared that people will vote for a candidate because of just one issue, will vote only for the candidate because it represents their perspective party, and for several other reasons.

I received my voter's absentee ballot in the mail this past week and I am scared. I don't support either the Republican or Democrat candidate 100 percent, so why vote? Do I write in a candidate I support more, but because of our Two-party system, will have no chance of becoming president and will take votes against my so called "party"?

Even though I am scared, I am hopeful that the system created by the Founding Fathers will indeed work. Our government has a checks and balances system for a reason. So, people of the United States, research your candidates for the Senate and the House for both state and federal government. They have as much power as the President and it is that reason we should take as much time if not more in researching our candidates for all offices of government, not just for the presidency.

You have a civic duty to vote for this country, as these officials work for us, the people of this country. So, don't settle, research and go vote. The future of this country rests on both the politicians and the people who elect these officials, aka US.