I’ve heard it all before, why vote if your vote doesn’t truly seem to matter? It’s a topic my political science professor discussed this past semester and something that has truly weighed on my mind ever since he brought it up. Why do we vote? In national elections it doesn't seem to even matter due to the Electoral College, so why waste the time, effort and resources it takes to make one small voice heard? So I started thinking and this what I came up with. Though the majority of the time we cannot control national elections, how the majority of the state votes, is usually the way the delegates vote as well. And while those elections are vital, we must also consider this: the most impactful change happens on a state and local level. Take the recent development of House Bill 2 for example. This bill came straight from our state legislature and has dramatically affected the citizens of North Carolina one way or another.

On a local level, Appalachian State University has a student population of over 18,000, rivaling the Town of Boone’s residential population of 17,122. The point being, if every student who attended ASU voted in town elections, we hold the capability to swing the election. Politically speaking, our votes hold more power than ever before. Watauga County is known for having the highest-ranked early voting population statewide. Out of the 7,215 people who made that achievement possible, 3,250—the largest number of people—voted at the Plemmons Student Union on-campus voting site.

So when someone tries to explain why voting means nothing or you don't see the purpose in marching yourself to the polls, remember the facts. It is a fact that you have the power to change things; maybe right now on a smaller level, but every vote counts and you should use yours wisely. Voting for congressional primary elections are taking place this week on June 7, and I hope all of you take my advice and make your voice heard, because voting does matter! Don’t give up that right just because someone says otherwise.