Twenty-four million Millennials voted in this year's election, and I was interested what drove the young people to the polling stations this year. I conducted a survey which received 50 responses from people ages 18-27 simply asking why millennials voted (not who they voted for). After reading through and analyzing the responses, I saw a pattern in the answers.

1. So that ______ would not win.

What I found interesting about the results is that more people mentioned that they voted to prevent their undesired candidate from winning rather than stating that they voted because they agree with a certain candidate's policies. I would also like to note that in the survey prompt, it that you did not need to mention who you voted for, but people still made it clear which side they leaned toward. It is obvious that many millennials voted with a mindset of voting for the lesser of the two evils.

"To keep Trump out of office. Obviously, mission failed." -Madelyn, 19

"Because it's my right, because I am able, and because it's important for me to have a say in what goes on in this country! (And because I really really didn't want Trump to be president)." - Anon 19

"I voted because I wanted the right people serving public office. I wanted to do my part to keep Hillary Clinton from being president." -Jeremy Garst, 20

"I voted to prevent Crooked Hillary from becoming president and taking away my gun rights. #DrainTheSwamp" -DJT Fan, 19

"I wanted to make sure that we got a President who would not forsake us for her own corrupted goals. It worked!" -Anon 21

2. So that Trump would be the next President.

Another observation is that the few people who did state who they supported (rather than opposed), it was always in support of Trump. No one explicitly stated that they wanted Hilary to win such as the ones below (though some answers were assumed Hilary supporters).

"So trump could win" -Hunter, 19

"To make America great again" - A student at Purdue, 19

"Because I felt Trump was the better of the two candidates." -Perry, 20

3. Because it's our civic duty.

"Because it's my civic duty, and if you don't vote you don't have a right to bitch about the results." -Anonymous, 19

"I voted because I feel it is my vivid duty. However. I did not vote for a candidate from either major party. Both Candidates (all 3 if you include Johnson) were unfit to be president in my opinion, for differing reasons. As well I live in a state that was going to be strongly Republican, so I knew my vote would not affect the outcome, therefore I could vote my full conscience." -FL, 20

"The topics being debated were important to me and it's my duty as a citizen to vote and to be informed." -JO, 20

"Civic participation is immensely important to me. Also, I was (and still am) terrified of Donald Trump." -LZ, 19

"I voted because as a citizen it is my civic duty to participate in the election." -Leo Ortiz, 19

"Because it's important to get involved in the political process; because many issues affect me (healthcare, labor laws, etc.)." -DS, 27

4. Because we were given the right.

Many people died for our right to vote, and millennials realize that. By voting, we are appreciating and respecting what people centuries ago fought for us.

"Because it is my right as an American and many people have suffered to give me this right and I will not let it go to waste." -C, 19

I voted this election because it is one of the many privileges we have as Americans. America was founded for the people and we the people get to vote for the privilege to choose who we want to represent us as a country." -Elizabeth, 20

"Initially, I wasn't sure if I would vote in this election because I didn't support either candidate. But I realized last minute how disappointed I would be if Trump won the presidency and I had done nothing to prevent it. I also thought about how far women have come to be able to earn the right to vote, and even if my vote maybe didn't have the greatest effect on the outcome of the election, it would feel like a disgrace to waste it." -Michelle D, 19

5. To better our country.

The following responses as it showed that we millennials do care about the country as a whole, proving that millennials are not just selfish and entitled as other generations perceive us to be.

"I voted because we have the privilege to live in a democracy. We don't get to choose where we come from or what happens to us, but we do get to choose how we respond. One small way to do that is to cast a vote for the person who most aligns with our values. I voted for the person that best represented me and the direction I would like our country to go in." - MW, 20

"To prevent the repetition of history" -Anon, 20

"I care about people. Why would I want someone with such hate deciding what the future of this country looks like for 4+ years?" -Anon, 19

"It is clear our political system is in need of some revamping and it is time for our generation to get involved. Voting is a good place to start." -Tocci, 22

"To protect the environment" -PQ, 19

"I voted for the hope that decency, fairness, and humanity still matter to this country." -Anonymous, 24

"It's an important part of the democratic process and its how I can have an impact on my future." -JE, 24

"To stand up for basic human rights" - JJ, 19

"I voted because I feared for the future of America. I could see us going down a wrong path and I couldn't simply sit idly by and accept that. I voted to make a change and to stand up for what I believe in." -S.N.G, 19

Honorable mentions:

I'd like to point out a few responses that really stood out to me and what I thought of them

"I am very scared." - M, 19

It's OK to be scared, however, it is no the president that shapes our country, it is the people. It's completely ok to be initially scared, mad, and upset with the outcome, but once Trump finally takes office, it is our the country reacts and copes with the new leadership that will lead to a stronger nation. This election was an extremely divisive time, and sooner or later we as a nation will realize that unity will be the answer to the aftermath of hectic times.

"From a young age, I was taught that every voice matters. Whether it was making sure someone shy in my class felt comfortable voicing their opinion or speaking up for my own beliefs, it has been ingrained in me that I have the power to shape the world around me. In the same way, I view voting as a way to voice my opinion and a right that I should exercise freely. I encourage others to do the same." - Emily Nadler, 18

This was a great perspective on voting and relating it to the even younger generations.

"Harambe." -The Nation, 20

This response portrays exactly how some people still have not taken voting seriously. Although the rumor that thousands of people wrote in Harambe proved to be false, there was still a handful that did.

"My professor gave extra credit to vote." L, 19

Again, this answer shows that the student needed external motivation in order for him or her to get out and vote. While I'm glad that they obtained extra credit and did vote, I believe that being intrinsically motivated, aware, and education is the better way to approach voting.

Thank you to everyone who took the survey and to everyone who went out and voted! Through these responses, it is evident that millennials are using their voices to help shape our country. We are acknowledging and understanding the effects of this process and how it will impact our future. However, there is still a long way to go before the entire system is even close to perfect.

Millennial or not, why did you vote in this year's election?