There are a lot of misconceptions around voting. Some people think their voice does not matter because so many people vote, others hate everyone running for office and decide they do not want to be responsible for any of them holding power, and others think the electoral process is corrupt and he can stage a revolt if he does not win like a whiny 5 year old. I have one thing to say to that: If you don't vote, don't complain.

You many think that you do not matter because you are just one person. What difference can one vote make. You may be right, but what if everyone that agrees with you decides not to vote? Then it matters. Voting is your chance to have a say in government. You decide who your leaders are, an idea that was considered insane just a couple hundred years ago. Voting had to be fought for by many groups, and even today people are barred from voting based on silly things like race or socioeconomic status. If you are able to vote, you owe it to yourself, history, and the disenfranchised to make your voice heard.

If you hate everyone running for an office, especially this year, you are not alone. But just because all your options are distasteful, does not mean that all of them are equally bad. If there is one you want less than the others, you have the responsibility to vote against them, because their supporters are going to vote, and, especially in the current presidential election, not voting could result in a smaller pool of votes to work with, causing danger to enter the White House. Your voice matters, whether you like it or not.

As for the last one, the American political system is far from perfect, but one thing that we have accomplished is the peaceful transfer of power. Our elections work because people have faith in the system, knowing that even if the candidate they voted for does not win, the winner was decided in a fair way. Without that trust, countries fall apart.

We seem to be seeing this more and more often around the world, and distrust in the electoral system rips countries apart. America's transfer of power is one of the few things we had right at the beginning. Saying that the electoral system is corrupt is toxic, especially when your followers believe you. If you are so worried about it, go vote so that if your candidate does get the popular vote, the government will be forced to give the race to them. The winner is based on votes.

Voting is essential to a healthy democratic republic government, it is how those in power know how the people want them to vote, and how the people get representatives who represent their interests. It is not only the right, but the responsibility of every citizen to vote. Voting is the backbone of democracy; without voting or a consensus of the people, there is no equality, no democracy.

There are many reasons to vote on election day, but if you do not exercise your right and responsibility to vote, you miss your opportunity to incite change in the government. Therefore, you void your right to complain. If you do not want to voice your opinion when it matters, you do not have the right to force it upon people when it does not. So whether you go to your voting place or send in an absentee ballot, make sure your voice is hear on Election Day.

I would like to mention here that this applies to all persons legally able to vote. If a person is not allowed to vote based upon local ordinances, laws, or age, they have very right to complain because their voice is being suppressed.