As an 18-year-old, this year’s presidential primary was the first I was able to vote in. I was a fervent Bernie Sanders supporter throughout the primary season; he holds most of the same views and beliefs that I do, and I truly believed that if elected, he could implement positive change in this country.

Now that Hillary Clinton has officially been declared the Democratic nominee, many Bernie supporters have expressed disappointment and even outrage. Many would like to vote for a third party candidate, or not vote at all, to protest the political establishment and two-party system that Bernie has spoken out against. If you are one of these people, I urge you to reconsider. Your cause is noble, but there is just too much at stake in this election.

Your vote is important. Please do not waste it. This race is far too close, and divisions within the Democratic party might very well lead to a Trump presidency—remember, Ralph Nader, the Green party candidate, lost Al Gore the election in 2000. Historically, a third party candidate has no chance of winning. I understand feeling trapped within the two-party system, and it is something that should be changed moving forward. However, a system that’s been in place for well over 200 years is not going to change in one election cycle; if we’re going to implement change, it needs to happen over time and start on a local level. Right now, we need to work with what we’ve got.

Even within the two-party system, Bernie still has an influence—but only if we elect Hillary. Bernie stated in his speech at the DNC that he has worked closely with Hillary to develop a progressive platform that incorporates many of his ideals. Bernie has also encouraged his supporters to get more involved with politics on all levels, by voting Democrats into Congress and local levels of government. By supporting politicians that represent our ideals and values, we can implement many of Bernie’s policy proposals. All that is down the drain if Trump becomes president.

I’d like to address the demonization of Hillary that occurs on both sides of the political spectrum. Many people don’t trust her, claiming that she represents corporate interests and citing her email scandal. The truth is, Hillary is not a bad person, and she is by far the most qualified person for the job. She has been a public servant for decades, and her time as First Lady, senator and Secretary of State have given her ample experience. In all the years she’s been a public figure, she has made several mistakes – but she has also made positive change that has improved the lives of millions. Many of the speeches at the DNC, namely Bill Clinton’s, attested to that. She is not free of flaws, but we can’t let our view of her be shaped only by Republican smear campaigns. Not to mention that a woman as president would be historic.

Now consider the alternative. Trump has no real experience or qualifications to be president. He has never held office before, and has little to no real policy ideas or plans for America. He has based his entire campaign so far on fearmongering and hatred, and it seems that he only wants to become president to boost his ego. He is easily angered and he doesn’t think before he speaks, qualities that would prove to be disastrous to our foreign relations. When he talks about how he will rule this country, his ideas verge on totalitarianism. I have friends who are legitimately afraid for their future under a Trump presidency. He is not fit to lead our country.

Please consider all these things before casting your vote or choosing to abstain. A protest vote will not help anyone or change anything. At worst, it will have disastrous consequences for the most vulnerable people in our country. The Democratic party needs your votes. The race is too close, and there is just too much at risk.