Growing up, I thought the concept of voting was the coolest thing ever. Of course, I didn’t understand it, but as a third-grader with excitement in my heart, there was nothing cooler than a teacher telling me, “You will have the power to choose who will lead our country.” Someday, I and millions of Americans would drive to our assigned voting places. Someday, I and millions of Americans would receive a ballot. Someday, I and millions of Americans would choose the next President of the United States.

Someday is this year, and unfortunately it doesn’t work that way. I learned all of that before I took AP US Government in high school. The popular vote does not matter nearly as much as the Electoral College, which is a whole different subject matter. But, basically, the Electoral College is a voting system based on how many state representatives, senators, and electors (specifically for Washington, DC) that the United States has. It works differently in two states, but in the remaining 48, the candidate with the most votes will win all of the state’s electoral votes. The candidate with at least 270 Electoral College votes secures the presidency.

Even still, an election year is upon us, and there is no hint of excitement in my heart. I am not excited to vote in my first presidential election. Call me un-American or whatever you want, but not this year. We all have our opinions and beliefs, and I am writing this with neutrality as I say that there are no strong candidates, and that there is not a front-runner that I love, and that there is no clear winner here.

One of the candidates had his own reality TV show and has trademarked the phrase, “You’re fired.” This candidate is a joke to so many people.

One of the candidates was recently involved in a scandal with the FBI after sending private emails on her personal email account. This candidate has lost the trust of so many people.

Of course, those are just a few examples of why American citizens dislike each candidate. Both candidates have strong campaigns with very different, yet steady beliefs. But regardless, neither of the candidates are all that likable. Maybe it’s the media, who portrays them in the worst way possible. Maybe it’s the people, who go to social platforms to pick apart each candidate. Maybe it’s the campaign slogans because, quite frankly, “Make America Great Again” and “I’m With Her” don’t get my body pumping with passion.

Yeah, I’m disappointed that this is my first presidential election to vote in. Voting should be something to be proud of, not something that hangs over your head. It’s a privilege; throughout the world, many people do not have the freedom to openly choose which person gets to lead their country.

But need I remind you, we are in the United States of America. We live in the single most powerful country in the world. The President of the United States does not hold all of that power. No matter who takes office, we will continue to be the most powerful country in the world. It will all be okay—and it has been since 1776.