Being an American comes with many rights and privileges, and chief among them is the right to vote. When we become adults, we are given the opportunity to exercise this right and have a say on who we want to represent us on the local, state and national levels. This is an opportunity that too few people have in the world, and yet it is one that only a fraction of Americans actually take advantage of.

We often hear about the issue of low voter turnout in this country. In the 2016 presidential election, only 60% of eligible voters cast a ballot. In the last midterm election, only 35% voted. These statistics unavoidably beg the question; how can we elect the best representatives if so few Americans are willing to engage in the voting process?

First, we need to understand why Americans aren't voting. For many, it's a matter of convenience. Either they are too busy during the day to vote, or they don't know how the process works. Many don't know how to register to vote, or where their polling place is located. For others, they either don't feel like their vote matters or they are unhappy with the candidates.

The problem with these excuses is that they can all be solved. You can figure out how to register with just a simple google search. There are countless resources to tell you everything you need to know regarding registration, and other procedures. If you are too busy to find time to vote in person, you can request an absentee ballot and vote from home. It only requires a few minutes of your time to educate yourself and learn how to participate.

As for those who refrain from voting because they feel the system is corrupt, that sounds like an excuse that stems from complacency and, to be honest, downright laziness. If you educate yourself on the issues that various candidates are talking about, you are bound to find a candidate that you agree with on matters that are important to you. Whether that's taxes, healthcare or education, you will surely find yourself approving of one candidate over the other.

In my opinion, Americans, especially young Americans who turn their noses up at voting are showing complete ingratitude for the freedoms they have been granted. Democracy is what gives us the power to have a say in what kind of country we want to live in, and what values we want our country to stand for. We were founded on the principle of the governors working for the governed, not the other way around, and we cannot uphold this principle if the governed refuse to participate in this process.

There are so many people around the world who would give anything to have a say in who ran their respective countries. I'm sure that those living in repressive governments would not complain about their indifference toward certain candidates if they were given the opportunity to choose their next leader.

Also, not voting can be equivalent to cutting off your nose to spite your face. When you don't vote, you are only harming yourself and your own personal interests. Don't expect the masses to choose the best candidate for you and your beliefs. If you don't vote, the government could be controlled by those with policies that are unhelpful or even harmful to you, and you have to live with the fact that you had the opportunity to create a better outcome, but didn't.

With all of this in mind, I think we can all agree on the importance of voting. However, it can still be a chore. After a long day of work or school, the last thing we probably want to do is wait in line for a while in an overcrowded building. Thankfully, there are things you can do to make voting funner!

My tip, don't go alone! Taking your friends or family can make the whole ordeal quite fun. I, personally am going with my parents after classes, and then we are going to have dinner together! So not only is voting not a chore, but I am actually really looking forward to it.

So, no matter what your political views are, no matter your gender, race or religion, you have a voice on November 6, 2018. This is the one day you can show the whole country what you stand for and how you want the country to be represented. So, please please please vote. The country needs you.