Last week, I witnessed history in sport history from two levels of play. The world saw the Chicago Cubs break the 108 year curse to win the baseball’s World Series. I, alongside my hometown, watched our girl’s soccer team compete in the state championship for the first time in this program’s history. Although they didn’t earn the state title, the mantra “second is the best” was something the girls carried and regardless the score of 1-2, the entirety of Rosemount was so proud of their lady Irish on the soccer field.

But how does this concern tomorrow’s election?

Take a moment and think of how you tackle being a sports spectator. You usually have your favorite team. It could be your hometown team or just a beloved team with a strong season miles from home.

If it’s the championship game and neither team is your favorite, you still align yourself with a team. Maybe your swayed by their uniforms or a certain player causes you to pledge allegiance to support the team. Doesn’t matter if you choose “your team” in the last couple minutes of play. You chose a team to be on.

This is what I did watching game 7 of the World Series. I’m neither a hardcore Cubs or Indians fan. In fact, I’m not even a huge baseball fan. But I still wanted to watch the game to be part of the conversation people would have on and about the game. I gave my support to the Cubs because my papa was rooting for them and it just felt right to me.

Election day is like the championships in politics. Neither candidate may be you favorite but be part of the American conversation and vote and support a candidate on November 8th. Choose a candidate that feels right for you. Don’t let others dictate your choice; this choice is all yours. But the important thing: GO VOTE!

Then there’s the difference of being at the game live or having to see if through a screen. When you’re there live, there’s a heightened sense of energy that you feed off and you feel more alive. Seeing the game on a screen can be as intense but there’s something being there in person to show your team spirit and support that makes the game even better regardless of the score. It’s the experience.

I saw some of my best friends play at the US Bank Stadium battling for the MN High School State Soccer championship. Our super fans organized a “whiteout” and kept cheering despite being down for the game. We didn’t care if the scoreboard showed the other team with a higher scored, we still screamed and chanted the various cheers. Our love for our girls was nonstop. Even when the game was final and earned second in state; the support of the community was unfaltering and everyone was respectful to the winning side. Everyone had a sense of getting excitement for next season since we got this far this year.

Election night might not have the result you hoped for or hopefully it will. Doesn’t matter what side you’re on, remember to be respectful to your friends, family and others who voted differently from you. Also actually being a part contributor to American democracy has more meaning than just seeing the results in the end. Let your support to a candidate mean something and vote.

All sport seasons end after their championship game. American democracy doesn’t stop after an election. It may seem like that every 4 years but this election is a wakeup call for all Americans to realize that your voice, your thoughts matter. So please utilize this right that so many wish to have. Go vote November 8th and be part of history.