In 2008, my 10 year old self calculated that 2016 would be the first year I could vote, and I thought it was cool because I was the only one in my class who would be able to do so. Now my 18 year old self thinks it’s cool for a different reason.

It’s a lot of work to decide who and what to vote for...

Once I got my sample ballot, I researched. I made sure to visit each candidate’s website, look up interviews, debates, their history, and any information I could find. I found the most difficult decisions were those concerning local offices. The sources and information on these candidates are limited compared to the national or state races. I tried my best to find actual information and not just campaign fluff, but there still wasn’t very much. I did cast my vote for these offices, but I do wish I had actually talked to or met the local candidates to help me cast a more confident vote.

Deciding on my position on each question was easier because the sample ballot provided arguments for and against, along with rebuttals, for each question. The sources used for each side were also provided and made research easier. Still, sometimes the decision making was difficult because you have to pick a side. There was a lot of internal debate on if each question was a “yes” or a “no”, but I believe in the end, I voted for what I think was best.

Of course, all of this research takes a lot of time. I even wish I would have taken more time researching. So yes, even before you go to the polling station, voting can take a lot of time and be a lot of work if you do it right. Yes, you could just go into the voting booth and make up your mind right then and there or only vote for the things you know about, or even just randomly vote. But your vote is your voice, and I don’t know about you, but I want to make sure that my voice reflects my views.

...but voting itself is pretty quick.

When I got to the polling location, I was baffled: the line was long. I reluctantly found the straggling end and wished I would have saved some research to do while I waited. Luckily, though, it went pretty quickly.

I saw an actual representation of who goes and votes.

While waiting in line, I looked around the voting area. One thing that was clearly visible was that the statistics don’t lie: older citizens are the ones who go out and vote. In 2012, 69.7% of citizens 65 years old or older went out to vote compared to only 38.0% of those between ages 18 and 24. I saw a few young people around me, but for the most part, it was mostly older people voting for legislation that will most directly affect my generation.

The sample ballot was super helpful.

When I got to the booth, I didn’t have to second guess myself or make up my mind right on the spot. I simply opened my sample ballot and filled out my actual ballot accordingly.

The process was super secretive and serious.

The covers on the machine are an obvious sign of the secrecy and seriousness of voting. I, however, was not expecting it to be at such a high degree. After I filled out all of my selections, I had to confirm multiple times that what I put was what I wanted. After confirmation was done electronically, the screen told me it was printing out a receipt of my choices. I started looking all over the machine for this receipt, but finally I looked at the little cover on my left and I saw this line of receipt paper. Soon the paper started moving and down came my votes all typed up. Then I had to again confirm that what was on the paper was correct. After selecting “yes”, the paper moved down the belt and my votes were out of sight. The length taken to make sure your ballot is correct and hidden from others shows just how important voting is. Voting is a very serious thing!

I felt like I had a voice.

It might sound lame, but putting on that “I voted” sticker made me feel really proud. I left the polls feeling like I had contributed to my country and that my vote matters (because it does! And yours does too!)

But there are times of uncertainty.

On my way home, I heard an advertisement going against one of the candidates I voted for. I immediately started questioning my vote; I felt in the same position I was when I was debating who to vote for, but this time, there was no way to change it. After thinking some more, I realized that based on my research and beliefs, I made the right choice. Still, it makes me think when I hear someone say something different than what I voted for and wonder if maybe they’re right after all. But in the end, we all have different views on what laws and people are best for our community, state, and nation, but the important thing is that everyone is trying to do what is best for our country. And that’s why voting is so important: if you want your vision of America to become a reality, you need to vote. When you don’t vote, you are letting other people decide your future.

So go out and vote!