People say it’s best to be yourself, be unique and don’t follow the status quo. That is not always the right thing to do, especially during this election season.

“Get out and vote” has become a clichéd term in our society. This year, a cliché isn’t a bad thing. That phrase is not meaningless, but rather a phrase of grave importance.

Most young voters are enthusiastic about voting. We cannot wait to have our voices heard. After years of wishing to turn 18, we are eager to take a turn at the polls and join the rest of the U.S. in voting. That’s great. It’s amazing to have so many enthusiastic young people in this country, but they may be too enthusiastic.

From early on in this election season, the Democratic primary has been severely divided, with people stuck between two very different candidates. The race has now progressed, and the winner seems relatively clear. Although that candidate is not favored by the majority of young people, she cannot succeed without their votes.

On the Republican side, the presumptive nominee is a candidate who is a divisive , racist, rich, white male who will destroy this country. He has millions of supporters who believe every word he says and all of the stories he spins. The people who support him are set in their ways, and won’t change their minds, no matter how much we debate them.

With two very divided parties, many people are frustrated with the current state of affairs.

The democratic party is now at an impasse. The supporters of the candidate who will (likely) not be winning the nomination are so passionate about their candidate that some of them will not agree to vote for the actual nominee, and all of that passion is wasted. By not voting, they are handing the presidency to the Republican nominee.

My plea to the young voters of this country: vote. Yes, I know both candidates are unfavorable to what we would have wanted, but we have to support the lesser of two evils. Do not throw this election because you disagree with the candidates who have been chosen, use the voice you have been given, because without it we will end up with a misogynistic and xenophobic leader who has openly insulted more than 50% of this population.

So register to vote if you haven’t already, and don’t waste your vote because we all have to live with the future we have been given.