There are three major things to look out for when choosing a candidate to give your vote to this presidential election season. Now that the future of the United States and our role in foreign policy is up in the air, it is time that we recognize what we, as voters, want to change and what we would like to keep the same.

One of the things that politicians are good at is talking. It's part of their job; they are supposed to sound like they know what they're talking about when they try to get your vote. The thing that voters need to look out for is if they are answering the questions that need to be faced. Does it really matter if they played football in high school or if they have a political background? In the wake of the 2016 election, political background has become less and less important to many Americans that don't want the same old establishment candidates in the office. The two major political parties control the White House, and there is no mistake about that. Third party votes, while admirable, are wasted simply because they do not have a major following. It is simply statistical fact that say that third party votes are "throw away votes." I feel that after the four years that the Trump administration has had in the White House, many Americans feel the need to go back to the establishment or to pick a "safe" candidate. We all know from experience that a "safe" candidate may not be the best for the job. Do not let your eagerness to see change cloud your judgement of a good candidate.

It is no secret that I myself am a registered Democrat, and that this article itself is geared towards those who are looking to the Democratic party for the 2020 election season. There are many good candidates that recently took the stage on June 26 and June 27 to debate about issues that are important to the people here in the US. In my opinion, none of the candidates are particularly unqualified, and I have hope that the issues that I feel are important are going to be addressed. This may not be the case for many moderate and more conservative perspectives. Be mindful about what each of the candidates are saying along their campaign trails. Do your research if you aren't sure about what is going on in a particular issue. There is no higher power or greater honor than being able to enact change in something that you believe in, and the field that has been given to the American people to choose between Donald Trump and his unconventional ways and/or one of the many candidates that have decided to run for office. Make sure that your views align best with the person that you vote for. Vote in your primary! This election season is an important one, and voting is the most patriotic way that you can show you care about yourself, your neighbors, and those across America.

Something else to keep in mind when going through this election season is to be realistic. Politicians will say what they feel need to be said in order to provide the American people with what they, the candidate, thinks the American people want. This could be through drastic comparison, the demonization of the current administration, or policy claims that could never be accomplished in their term in office. When thinking about issues that wrack America, voters must think about how everything that makes up America fits into those issues as well. Will the government as it is now allow such drastic change? Will these changes be upheld by future presidents? How will these changes affect the poor/wealthy/minorities/women? How will these changes affect our place in the world as a world power? How will these changes look to other countries in the world? Why do we need such a change? Will candidates even pursue the changes they propose? These are all questions that voters must keep in mind while looking at various issues, whether from a conservative point of view or not.

For those who believe that this coming election will be a landslide, listen when I tell you that it most likely will not be. It will be close. There may be many people that you know, that you work with, in your social circle that oppose the current administration (as it is statistically below a 50% approval rating), but those who have supported Donald Trump and those that he has validated throughout his time as POTUS will continue to do so, no matter what happens. This is the reason why, from a liberal standpoint, that everyone go out and vote. Especially the young people. Young people in America: THIS IS OUR TIME. No matter what older generations say, we have the power to change the future that has been handed to us. We have the power to change what we think needs to be changed! If you need proof, just look at what Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has done and what she has fought for during her time in Congress. She continues to fight for the people in Congress. We must go out and vote. Some people may say that if you live in a very red state or a very blue state that your vote doesn't matter, but it does. You have the power to pick a candidate that will represent you and your values in the government. I cannot imagine a reason to pass that up. The people are the ones that decide who will represent us, and by voting, even if it seems like it doesn't matter, you can put in your two cents to whomever it is that you feel is best. All you have to do is do it. You do not have the right to complain about government if you have not voted.

The most important thing that I can stress to everyone reading the article is that you must do your research--into the candidates, the issues, the context, the impact. Don't just focus on one or two issues that are the most important to you. Dabble in every issue so that you can make the best decision based on your values and what you believe. Go out and vote. If you want change, you have to vote.