First, let me start off by saying this is not an article telling you who to vote for. I am leaving that up to you to decide, but I am going to tell you why you should vote. Make sure that you do your own research and make an informed decision on who you decide to vote for. For many millennials, this is the first presidential election that we are able to vote in. The stigma for young voters is that we usually do not vote, but it is so important that we show up to the polls and vote.

1. Break the stigma.

Why should we allow older generations to believe that millennials are lazy? We have to prove them wrong and show that we do care about who will be the future President of the United States of America.

2. It is your civic duty.

It is your civic duty to vote. If you are 18 or older, a United States citizen and registered to vote then you should be voting in the presidential election. We have the right to vote, and we should be using that right.

3. Express your beliefs.

No matter who you are voting for, this is a great way to express your beliefs and what is important to you. It is so important to research the candidates and make an educated decision on who you want to lead our country.

4. Make your own decision.

Once you meet the requirements to vote, you are able to make your own decision about issues and which people are elected to run our country, state, city, etc. You do not have to vote how your parents and friends are voting if you do not want to. You get to make your own decision.

5. There are issues on the ballot that will have an impact on your future.

Yes, this election you will be voting on who you want to be our president, but you will also get the chance to make your stance on other issues. For Oklahoma specifically, we have various issues like education, farming, methods of execution and others to make decisions about.

6. Some countries do not get the chance to vote.

This might be hard to believe, but there are still some countries that do not get the right to vote. That means you should take advantage of the chance you have to make important decisions for our country.

7. The more people that vote, the more of a representation of what the American people want is evident.

If only a few people vote, then we will not have an accurate representation of what the American people want for our country. We have to make sure that people vote based on an educated viewpoint, and then we will have a better representation of what the people as a whole want for the United States.

8. If you do not vote, you do not have a right to complain about the outcome.

There are tons of people who do not vote, but then complain about the outcome of the election. You have no right to complain if you do not exercise your right to vote.

With that being said, make sure that if you have not already voted by absentee ballot or early voting that you go out to the polls on Tuesday, November 8. Make sure that your voice is heard this election.