With Nov. 8 right around the corner, it seems like all I’ve heard the past couple of weeks is chatter about the fast-approaching presidential election. There has been conversation about one thing however, that has managed to stick out to me- the dissatisfaction with the two major candidates whose names are to appear on the ballots. Mr. Trump and Secretary Clinton have aroused reactions from the American public that have been outrageously negative, and many people are finding themselves torn by who they should choose to spend their votes on. The most common solution to this problem that I have heard is the decision to pick the “lesser of two evils” and to vote for them. Each person has their own opinion on which candidate lives up to this description, but I have concluded that in either case, it is not the answer to the difficult situation America is faced with.

After much thought, research, and prayer, I have decided that I will be voting for neither Clinton nor Trump when I receive my absentee ballot in the mail. Neither one of the frontrunners measure up to the standards I believe a presidential candidate should be held to, and I do not feel morally justified in taking part in electing either of them to the highest office in the land.

No, the person I vote for will likely not be elected, but I will be able to walk away from this election with a clear conscience, knowing that I did not take part in electing a candidate who I believe will harm the country that I love. I will be able to know that I voted according to my beliefs and morals, and did not settle for giving my vote to someone who is unfit and/or incompetent of leading the nation in a principled manner. This stance may be perceived as naïve, but there is nothing naïve about taking action to promote what you believe to be right and just; it is, in fact, honorable to do so.

As Christians, how are we able to justify endorsing any form of moral evil, even if it means that we are voting a candidate who is better than the alternative? It is unfit for God’s chosen people to rationalize voting for someone who will cause our country to morally decay, even if we are faced with two undesirable options. Romans 1:32 says, “Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.” We will all be held responsible not only for our own actions, but also for the actions of others that we gave approval to.

Voting third party or doing a write in are both favorable alternatives to voting for a candidate who you do not believe is worthy of the Oval Office. The issue many take with these options is that in the process of partaking in either of them, they would essentially be throwing their votes away. I would challenge this thought process by arguing that while it is true that this course of action would mean you would not necessarily be voting for a winning candidate, there are other, more important factors to consider throughout the voting process. A candidate’s character, morals, conduct and ideologies are all important factors to take into account when deciding who to vote for.

Voting is not something I take lightly, and you shouldn’t either.

Voting is one of the most accessible ways to participate in the democratic portion of our democratic republic. As American citizens, we are granted the right to vote by the Constitution, and we have the responsibility to use that vote wisely. This does not mean choosing the “lesser of two evils” and voting for them; it means voting for a candidate that you believe will bring positive change to the country.

If you believe that both the Republican and the Democratic candidates would be damaging to the well-being of the nation, you should not vote for either of them. Democracy is not about siding with someone simply because you believe they have a shot of winning, or because you believe that the alternative would be worse. Democracy is supposed to be a system in which every individual is provided the opportunity to vote based on their moral convictions in attempt to shape the government in a way they believe is respectable and upright.

Don’t get me wrong, there is by no means such a thing as a perfect candidate. People are not perfect and waiting for a candidate whose views completely aligned with yours will most likely leave you disappointed. There is a difference, however, in not completely agreeing with a candidate, and thinking them unfit to run the country. Therefore, if you believe that both of our current candidates are undesirable, corrupt, un-presidential or any number of other things that would hinder you from truly supporting them, you should consider "wasting" your vote this election season.