This year's election has been incredibly controversial with one surprise after another. Noticing how disturbed people feel about the election has caused some people to passionately declare that they will not be voting this year. Although I am only 16-years-old, I think voting holds great significance and it should not be taken for granted.

So why do I think voting is important?

Voting is a right that many people have fought to receive.

It wasn't even that long ago when voting was restricted to wealthy, white, landowning men. Here in Hattiesburg, MS, Vernon Dahmer gave his life trying to register voters. Vernon Dahmer was an African American American Civil Rights leader and president of the Forrest County chapter of the NAACP. His store and house, which was right above his store, were attacked by KKK members, resulting in a fire. Although he and his family got out of the building, Vernon Dahmer was severely burned from the waist up, ultimately causing his death. He wasn't the only one paid the ultimate sacrifice. Others have risked their lives for what some people are so willing to give up.

Voting is your voice.

When you vote, you are putting your input in for who you think is the best to represent the United States. This is your chance to have your opinion be valued politically. This is a representative democracy, and you choose who represents you!

Every Vote Counts.

You get to play a role in choosing our leaders! You can even change laws by voting. Remember that it's important to know what's going on in your country. We build our nation with votes.

If you feel that your voice is not being heard, I encourage you to go out and vote. Let's get involved in this election and choose a leader that is the best fit for the United States. This is a privilege that not all people have yet received.