Many people are unhappy with both of the two major candidates for this year's presidential election. As a result of this unhappiness, these people claim that they have decided to "sit this election out" and not vote for anyone. This is by no means a good decision.
Being allowed to vote in America isn't just a right, it is a privilege. You must be 18, registered, and in good legal standing. Most importantly, you must be an American citizen.
By voting in this election, you have the power to choose whom you want to be our country's leader for the next four years. This is huge. All throughout our country's history, we have had the opportunity to choose whom we want to be our president. Our country was built on the idea that everyone should have the liberty and freedom to choose who we want to lead us, as opposed to family history or bloodlines choosing our leader. By refusing to vote, you are forfeiting this liberty and freedom that our ancestors have worked so hard to give us, and subsequently, you are forfeiting your right to complain about who is elected.
By refusing to vote, you are saying that you do not want to have a say in the country's leadership. By analogy, suppose that I think that it is too hot in my room. I call out to my mom and say that I am uncomfortable and unhappy because it is too hot. She suggests that I turn on my fan. However, I don't want to get up to turn on my fan because it is too far away, and I don't want to stand up. She then tells me that if I am too lazy to stand up and make a change, then I should not be complaining.
If you are complaining that you don't like what is happening in our country, but you are refusing to vote, you are demonstrating that you are too lazy to change anything. Voting is not difficult or strenuous. It is something that requires very minimal effort, time and education. You do not need training or testing to vote. Literally, anyone can vote, as long as they meet the guidelines and are registered.
Another argument some people make is that their vote doesn't really matter. One person might claim that he is only one vote of millions of registered voters and that he, as just one person, does not have the power to change anything. This is a horrible way to think! Every vote counts. If 500,000 people each say that they aren't voting because they are only one person, then that is 500,000 people who did not vote.
If you choose not to vote, you are giving away a privilege. You are giving away a freedom that our country prides itself on providing. Consequently, you are giving away your freedom to complain about what is happening because you did nothing to stop it.
