Let's face it, a lot of us have gotten involved in politics in high school. Whether is was through student government or just being politically aware of the world, we all have experienced exposure to the conventions and workings of politics. You probably also developed your own views and opinions on larger issues such as abortion and gun law reform. Something has stopped you from having your strong opinion or reasoning heard. Your age.

For about the past four years, my entire high school career in fact, I have been slowly harboring political awareness and eventually formulated certain opinions on how I view the legal proceedings of our country. Issues ranging from gun laws, economic proceedings and trade policy, and gender laws have crept their way into my consciousness through various mediums. From these, I felt a strong urge for my voice to be heard by the local public and the nation, which, in our democracy, means I must vote on these issues and possibly be the deciding vote that makes or breaks reform.

That's how I see the need to vote. Too often I hear about people asking why they should vote if the issues don't concern or affect them. I feel that such a mindset can be detrimental to the construction of our democracy, as history has proven that the right to vote translates into the requirement to vote. It is always possible that your one vote could break a tie on an issue and solidify a proposition. Ever since I became politically aware, I have been craving the chance to vote and become a contributing member of our country.

Now that I am eighteen, I am proud to say I have voted and wish to encourage all newcomers to legal-adulthood to vote and have your voice heard.

Send in an absentee ballot, mail in ballot, or even go to a voting booth and have your opinion literally count. Vote, dammit, because you can and you should!