A lot of people have been saying that the current presidential election has no good candidates. Although I will reserve my own political opinion, I tend to agree that both of the likely nominations have made serious errors that I cannot ignore when coming to a decision about my vote.

For many people around our age, this will be the first presidential election we will be voting in, which I know has been a depressing thought for many of my friends from both political parties. When Obama was running, the far-right Republicans hated him (naturally), but for the most part, the country loved him. There was optimism and inspiration not only in the US but across the globe about putting our future in the hands of a humble and funny senator from Illinois.

Today, we are going to go with the assumption that it will all come down to Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton.

Frankly, I see what you all mean. Donald Trump says whatever he thinks will help him most in the moment and has no qualms about throwing others under the bus. He is narcissistic, arrogant, and need I even point out that he has absolutely no political experience. Hillary Clinton has had questions raised about her role in Benghazi, the more recent email scandal, and her flip-flopping opinions on issues over her time in politics. There has been a general lack of trust from Democrats and Independents toward Clinton across the country. She has also been labeled as a “career politician” who says anything to get ahead.

What has been infuriating me lately are not the candidates themselves, but the people who don’t want either candidate as president and are refusing to vote.

If you are one of these people, I am begging, pleading, you to vote.

Please vote.

Now, I understand that as an American you have the right to vote, and therefore the right to NOT vote, but I want to just reiterate something to you.

Just because you’re not voting does not mean that one of these candidates will not be elected.

Just because you’re not voting does not mean the parties will desperately come up with a candidate you like better.

Just because you’re not voting does not make the vote of the people who did utilize their right count any less, it actually makes it count more.

I get it, really. Personally, I’m not a “yuge” fan of Trump or Clinton, but I’d rather “bern” than not vote. I try to recognize the characteristics of both individuals that might make them a good president instead of just focusing upon their flaws.

Instead of trying to find a political savior, look for the person who knows what they are doing and will help bring peace and justice to the United States for the next 4 years. I know an election of the lesser of two evils stinks, but it’s all we have and time is running out.

In the US, we have the right to vote or not to vote. It is truly up to you and I can’t tell you what to do. I beg you to please vote, though. Google both nominees, whoever they may be, and pick the one you like best (or dislike least).

No vote = no voice.

Please vote, America.