The election isn't about picking "the lesser of the two evils." The presidential election is about choosing the next President of the United States of America. I'm not quite sure when it became okay for the Democratic and Republican parties to merely disagree and degrade one another to the point of a verbal war, nor am I quite sure when it simply because okay for citizens of American to stop voting. The excuse, "I don't like either of the candidates," isn't a good one, nor is it valid. This isn't some high school election voting for Prom King and Queen that we are talking about.

I hate to be the one to break this to you, but the presidential candidates are not your friends. You don't and aren't going to like everything single thing they have to say, but come November 8th you do still have to make a choice, either Trump or Clinton. Let's go back in history for a second to learn about voting rights, so that you will be more encouraged to exercise such a wonderful right.

The United States has come a long way since 1776, where exclusively white males were able to vote. By 1965, The Voting Rights Act is signed into law, prohibiting any election practice that denies the right to vote to citizens on the basis of race or gender. To simply put: you have the right to vote, and it's not really an option (though you won't get in trouble for not casting your ballot- just some funny looks). Webster's defines "right" as a moral and legal entitlement to have or obtain something or to act a certain way. Thus, It is our legal and moral responsibility as an American citizen, to make a choice.

It is also our right to have a voice in regards to who we want to see leading our country. It's funny, though, that so many Americans don't seem to think that their voice is heard. Let me put it this way, come November you will either check that little box Hillary or Trump- those are the only two voices that are going to be heard.

We are also forgetting one other thing, these presidential hopefuls didn't just show up- the people of the United States put them there. If you didn't vote in the primaries, that's just too darn bad- you missed your opportunity to have an opinion (maybe next time, you'll learn the importance of the primaries). The majority of the population has made their choice of presidential nominees, and while you may not agree with the nominees' entire platforms, you will be able to find a few things that you agree with.

Your voice and opinion go as far as the ballot and party you select. Clinton and Trump don't care about your personal feelings towards them, they care about your vote. It's time for our (millennial) generation to stop complaining and start voting. It is a privilege to live in a country that is still (somewhat) the land of the free because of the brave.

If you'd rather not vote, then I suggest moving to one of the thousands of countries' across the country that simply do not care what the general public has to say at all. The moment you do not exercise your right to vote, you've lost your right to complain about the outcome. Do your country a favor on November 8th by contributing in selecting the next President of the United States- even if the candidate you voted for loses, you've used your ability, and right to have an opinion.