With the election (and local elections) less than a week away, I’ve noticed more and more people deciding not to vote. Voting is really important to me, so I have been trying to convince those around me to get out to the polls and participate in government. I only turned 18 two months ago, so I have just made the cut for this presidential election! It’s definitely really cool to have such a crazy election be my first, although I wish there were a candidate I truly identify with.

Nonetheless, I’m still going to my elementary school on Tuesday and casting my vote for the candidate who I believe is “the lesser of two evils.” I’ve heard many people, older adults and young adults, say that they don’t like either candidate; therefore they made a decision not to vote. People always forget that there are more than the two major party candidates! If you don’t like Clinton or Trump (I don’t blame you), look into third party candidates! There’s Jill Stein with the Green Party, Gary Johnson with the Libertarian Party, and Evan McMullin as Independent. Your vote will certainly not go to waste if you vote for these people. Please look at all of your options before making the decision to not vote. There’s a really cool saying, “bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.”

Less than 100 years ago, women still couldn't vote. So, especially if you’re a woman or any other minority, people fought for your right to vote! People spent endless time and effort, protesting and urging the government to amend the constitution. Many of these people didn't even live to see women at the polls. Respect the sacrifices other people made so that your voice could be heard when their voices weren't. This is extremely important when contemplating whether or not to vote. We have a democracy, and although it’s not direct, citizens of other countries do not have this great opportunity of being so hands on with the government.

If you don’t vote for your interests and what means most to you, who will? We all have our opinions and we all have policies that mean a lot to us, so we should all make this apparent to the government. How will the government know what we want if we do not show them?

After the election, you can't complain about a candidate if you didn’t even vote! Our 16th President Abraham Lincoln once said, “elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the people and burn their behinds, then they will have to sit on their blisters.”

For young adults and college students, this is our future! Why is it that the biggest percentage of voters are 60+ and the lowest percentage of voters are 18-29? To be real, their time to shine is over. It’s our turn! Hopefully they are voting with their children and grandchildren’s futures in mind.

Make time. Don’t go to the polls after work, it could take a while. Try making time in the middle of the day. Voting isn't a decision, it's a right. It is our one responsibility as Americans, and we must take advantage of the rights we are born with.