This election is fierce, there’s no doubt about it. Both republicans and democrats are scared of what the other candidate will do if elected. Both democrats and republicans are also disillusioned with their own party’s nominee. And both democrats and republicans are seriously considering voting outside their party and going for a third party candidate.

However, then there are the dissenters. People from both major parties are taking to the internet to violently scold anyone who considers voting for a third party candidate because the candidate of their opposing party is “too dangerous.” There’s been an increase in the amount of mudslinging towards both third party candidates Jill Stein and Gary Johnson, whether it be about their lack of experience, their policy faults, or just simply the fact that a vote for them would be a wasted vote.

Both democrats and republicans, especially millennials, have questioned and criticized the two-party system. When it comes to the election, the best way to fight the system is to vote third party, yet when someone makes the decision to vote this way, they are held to the fire over it.

We have more than two candidates for a reason. Many can’t bring themselves to agree with either of the two major candidates for a variety of reasons, and find themselves in a position where they can firmly stand behind a third-party candidate. Many voters of a major party candidate argue that we are voting for the lesser of two evils, but why settle your vote for someone you grudgingly like when you can make a statement with your vote? Regardless of who wins the election, if more people vote third party, the winner will have to face the voice of the American people. The president isn’t a dictator; they have to put what the American people want first.

If you are someone who is voting for a major party candidate, and you want to see them win, it is your job to advocate for them and educate your fellow voters on what you think makes them most qualified. But it is not your job to tell someone to not vote for their preferred candidate because it is a wasted vote. I’m not voting for Hillary Clinton because I think she’s the lesser of two evils; I believe she is the best person for the job, and I will continue to be vocal about why. But I know I can’t convince everyone, and at the end of the day, people will still vote for third party candidates. It’s not your place to tell them their vote doesn’t count or it’s a vote for the other major party, so stop doing it.