Why You Should Vote In The 2016 Presidential Election | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Why You Should Vote In The 2016 Presidential Election

Vote like your rights depend on it.

21
Why You Should Vote In The 2016 Presidential Election

It really bothers me when people say they're not going to vote. No one in the world is neutral about anything. We all have opinions and we all have a favorite side. Even if you consider yourself an independent, you still lean to one side. Maybe you do not like to voice your opinions, but by not voting, you are silencing yourself.

If you are of legal age and do not vote, then you have no right to complain about anything. Yeah, maybe all the candidates are a little screwy, but only crazy people run for president. You made the poor decision to not participate in a democracy by not casting a vote, so do not let me catch you complaining on Twitter about how dumb a candidate is. If you want to make a change, then you have to be a part of the change.

When you turn 18, there is really not much else you can do with that "legal adult status" so you might as well practice your new right to vote! As college students, we love to talk about ourselves and our #lifegoals, and I guarantee there is a candidate who shares similar dreams. You can take your #lifegoals and transform them into #relationshipgoals with your candidate.

You also seem extremely ignorant when you say, "I just don't like/follow/care about politics." Unless you're a piece of toast, you have a passion, and I guarantee that politics effects some aspect of your passion. As college students, there is no excuse not to vote because this world will soon be ours. There are 20.2 million of us out there, and by choosing a prepared and reliable president, we can help guarantee a better future for ourselves. That means less work for us (every millennial loves that), and more clean up from our new president!

You don't have to care about everything either. For example, I really don't care about the environment, but I do care about gun control. Therefore, I am voting for a candidate who I believe will fix this issue. It can really be as simple as that.

Don't waste your vote because "everyone else is voting for him/her." If you feel like you want Joe Blow from North Dakota to run this country, then let your voice be free. It takes 10 whole minutes from your life to educate yourself on candidates. There is even a government sponsored quiz you can take that tells you the percentage of your opinions and which candidate they best line up with (and I know you love quizzes because I saw you share one about what pizza flavor you are).

To all my ladies: Brave women from our past were beaten and jailed fighting for our right to vote. Why dishonor them by throwing away the freedom that has been passed on to us since 1919? The suffragettes did not go through that pain because they wanted to, but because they knew they needed to.

So take the 10 minutes you usually spend on Buzzfeed, and go take the quiz. Find out who you match up with, and then spend five extra minutes on Wikipedia to get some background. You'll be an educated voter in no time.

Democracy is a beautiful thing. Please don't waste it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190944
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

15287
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

458146
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26773
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments