As many of you know, on April 19th, New York held the Democratic and Republican primaries for the upcoming presidential election. In the weeks prior to the election, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Ted Cruz, John Kasich, and Donald Trump all made trips to the Capitol District.

Typical in most elections, young people and college students were heavily encouraged to get out there and vote for their preferred candidate. Being a political science major, the election process as an entity has always been particularly interesting to me.

Likewise, I have always felt that young people should remain proactive in government participation. However, on April 19th I did not make my way out to my local polling station. In fact, I stayed as far away as humanly possible. I did not vote in my state's primary.

Some of you may be thinking that I abstained from voting simply because I am not registered, or because I am registered as an independent. Perhaps you might think that I did not vote because I am uninformed. Sadly, I did not vote because I am. In reality, I did not vote in New York's primary simply because I do not identify with any single candidate, nor do I feel that any of them are fit to run our nation.

Personally, I believe that a vote for a candidate who's values you do not agree with is a vote wasted. In saying this, I will not be voting for the upcoming presidential election either, regardless of who garners the nomination from either party (unless by some miracle the Democratic and Republican conventions nominate Joe Biden and Paul Ryan, respectively).

For those who voted, and will be voting, for candidates whom they respect and identify with, I say "Congratulations". However, I cannot agree with you, or the candidates whom you support. Therefore, my vote will remain to myself.