This presidential election will be the second one that I have voted in. Although I have followed this election more closely than the one in 2012, I must admit that I do not know nearly everything about politics, federal, state or local; however, I do as much research as I can about which political candidate most closely aligns with what I would like to see in our government, and consequently, our community. Isn't that how everyone chooses who to vote for? You would not choose to vote for someone that thinks the opposite of you, right?

What if I told you I was voting for Donald Trump in this election? How would that influence your opinion about me?

What if I told you I was voting for Hillary Clinton? Jill Stein? Gary Johnson? How does your opinion of me change with each one?

It's difficult not to let your opinion of someone change based off of their choice in candidates. I definitely struggle with this.

I would hope rather than telling me why I am wrong for voting for my choice of candidate, you would tell me why I should vote for the candidate that you like and truly believe in. Inspire people rather than shaming them. Lift up your candidate choice rather than driving the other one in the ground.

Unfortunately, two of our candidates, Trump and Clinton, have not been the best role models in this department. Rather than saying things to lift themselves up, both candidates have resorted to calling out one another's supporters, even calling them names. My hope is that in the debates coming up, Clinton and Trump tell me why I should vote for them instead of telling me why I am wrong for who I am supporting at this moment. They should inspire us to vote for THEM, not tell us why we should NOT vote for their opponent.

Also, my hope is that next time you come in contact with someone who is voting for someone for president different than who you are voting for, instead of criticizing their choice, give information about the candidate that you like and why your candidate might be a better fit. Encourage people to actually vote.

We have a great freedom in this country to vote. Don't squelch someone's right to vote simply because you do not agree with who they are voting for.

So above all, get out there and vote in November. (Be sure to register to vote by the beginning of October!). I know our choices may not seem the greatest, but I have faith that the best possible candidate will be chosen come November.