November 8, 2016, is a pretty important day. Not only will the onslaught of political ads finally stop, but if you’re somewhere around the age of 20, then this is the first primary election you can vote in.

But, why vote?

Whether you’re all for one specific candidate or you’re severely disappointed in our nation’s representatives, our vote is important. Seriously. The millennial generation is pulling about 1/3 of the weight this election season. The voice of one may not look like it’s making a dent from the outside, but combined, the voices of many are what is going to determine the future.

We’re finally a part of the in-crowd--the people who are given the responsibility to determine who is going to govern and represent us as a people. Take this privilege and run with it. Grab it by the handles and take full advantage of it. Educate yourself, have a say, care about your future.

The U.S. has a surprising rate of inactive eligible voters. Less and less people are showing up to the booths, including many people our age. Don’t disengage because of some excuse that has a very simple solution.

If you don’t know much about the candidates, become informed. There are countless articles, reports, and information available at your fingertips. Go out into the world. Read, talk, discuss, use your voice, and most importantly, vote.