This upcoming election is important for reasons that, were I to list them all, could be an article in itself. However, one issue is more troubling than the rest: who's going to win?

There's the obvious part of this question that pertains to everyone engaged in the election process. Many Bernie supporters like myself have become incredibly stressed with the Clinton campaign pulling ahead through questionable means and how we can combat this growing divide between delegates. However, the conversation has been moving in a different direction that, sadly, is focusing on voting for the winner. While I understand the desire to bandwagon and be apart of the "winning" team, it makes no sense in the larger context of democracy or politics in general.

John Stuart Mill makes the argument to be a Socrates dissatisfied as opposed to a pig satisfied. It means to not satisfy your lower faculties and strive to create change even if it isn't gratifying at the end. Currently, I'm hearing from many people who say they're going to vote for Hillary because they don't think Bernie is going to win. Awesome. You just threw the democratic process in the trash. From this mentality, we're currently seeing democracy die as the election for the president of the United States becomes a popularity contest.

Now, here's where I want to make my case for the underdog. This article isn't intended to devolve into "rah-rah Bernie" in any way, but to act as a general overview of how you should vote in this upcoming election. Namely, read about every candidate and vote accordingly. Seriously, it's not that hard. Every serious voter you see on Facebook or social media has done their research on their candidate and can back-up their reasons for voting in a particular way instead of just saying, "I want to vote for the winner."

The election is not a test with a correct answer that satisfies your need to choose the "right" candidate. Instead, it's to feel like you've done your part to make your voice heard through your vote and tell the Electoral College that you want a certain candidate to win because you believe in them.

Even though Texas lost to Hillary (another reason I dislike the Lone Star state), I felt like I did my part and made my voice heard through my vote. It was exhilarating to feel like I was part of something bigger than myself. But had I indulged in that desire to "win" instead of the desire to be heard, would I feel the same way? Would I have that same kind of excitement as when I mailed my absentee ballot? I don't think so.

At the end of the day, it is not about being satisfied with the outcome of the election, but by being satisfied in knowing that, even if your candidate loses, you made your voice heard.