It is a presidential election year, so the mantra is "vote, vote, vote." Sometimes, it is OK to not vote. Especially if you know more about "America's Next Top Model" contestants than the candidates.
Everyone is saying get out and vote, get out and vote. I agree, if you know the issues, you should get out and vote. However, if you don't know the candidates' positions, or don't know who you agree with more, don't vote until you do some research. It isn't enough to vote just based on party lines. Party lines have become more and more blurred in the last debates and election cycles. With candidates trying to out "right" or out "left" each other in each statement, it is up to the public to do the dirty work and find out what the candidates are really going to do when they take office. Candidates are going to say a lot of things to try to get certain demographics behind them, but make sure they are going to be held to their statements. Hold the government accountable for their promises. Just like they are going to hold you to your civic duty of voting.
I am not saying that you shouldn't vote. I am saying that you need to be an educated voter. Don't just "feel the Bern," "stand with Hillary," or "stump the Trump," because that is what your Twitter or Facebook feed says you should do. Take some political surveys, find out which candidates stand for what you want America to look like in this next presidency.
Also, don't think this just applies to the presidency. Every person should be educated for every election that they vote in. It isn't enough to want to "legalize it, dude," make sure you know the policy you are voting for when you vote to "legalize it, dude." Make sure that the Senator you put in office for the next six years has your ideas and values in mind.
I know that as just one person, it does not feel like you can make that much of a difference, but I promise you, you can. It takes a bunch of individual people voting for a "pretty face," a "new thing" or "more of the same" to win an election. Do not be one of those "LIVs" or low information voters that every government class learns about.
Do your civic duty. Read up about the candidates. Find out what your area needs, and vote based on that. Do not get caught up in the bandwagon. Be your own person. But most importantly, do not forget to get out and vote. After you have done the research, make sure you actually show up to the polls. It does no one any good if you have done all the work, and then forget to follow through. If need be, cast an absentee ballot, go early, go late, just make sure you go and cast your ballot.
