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The last presidential debate was on October the 19th, two and a half weeks ago. At the time, I let out a sigh of relief when the candidates finally stood down from the podiums and silenced their bickering. I watched all three of the debates, each worse than the one before it. Each night I was hopeful to hear how the candidates would offer serious plans to curb the issues plaguing our nation. Each night, however, I was disappointed. The debates devolved into little more than competitions to see who could throw more one liners, personal history attacks, or offer solutions that solve everything with literally no plans.

For the last year, we as a nation and world have been subjected to a highly charged and bloody presidential campaign. The highs and (many, many) lows affected us all, even around the world. Finally, with this last presidential debate we are one more step closer to the end. Indeed, when this piece goes public there will be less than a week in this election cycle!

The two candidates are hugely polarizing, largely distrusted and disliked, and are tired iterations of our two party system. Indeed, voter turnout has been in decline since the 2012 election. According to an article from BBC, “Participation has hovered between 48% and 57% in US presidential elections since 1980. That contrasts with France, where turnout regularly tops 80%.” According to a graph within the same article, the United States has higher voter turnout over only one country; Japan. The margin between the United States and Japan voter turnout is less than 5%. It seems odd that a world superpower and leader of the free world has almost the same amount of voters turning out for elections as a country of nearly 130 million people.

We all have seen the ads and videos to get us out to vote. Indeed, we as millennials are a massive bloc of votes, whoever can swing us will most likely win the election. So, why is it so hard for us all to go out and vote, to do our civiv duty? Unfortunately, I do not believe I am in a position to answer this question, nor is this a question that is in the scope of what I am writing about today.

No, what I am writing today is to add my voice to the countless voices of presidents, candidates, celebrities, politicians, and our elders that tell us to vote. Voting is important, it is our responsibility, it is our right and freedom. Please, I beg of all of you to vote, get informed and educated about the issues and candidates. Understand that change does not occur from the president of even our congress, but from individuals like you and me.

If you truly despise both candidates and are considering not voting at all, please reconsider. Elections up and down the ballot need your attention and votes. Congressional, local and federal, positions are up for grabs, school boards are coming to term, local municipalities need new direction and board members. Arguably, the people who make our local communities are more important than the president. You do not have to vote democrat or republican, Clinton or Trump. Please do vote. Get an absentee ballot, get out November eighth with some friends or family, educated yourself and voice what is important to you.