Unfortunately, I was a year too young to vote in America’s most recent elections. This election resulted in the inauguration of our current President, Donald J. Trump, who, for the record, I don’t approve of as president.

However, there are people who say that I don’t have the right to disapprove because I hadn’t yet obtained the right to vote.

I can loosely understand the argument of ‘if you choose not to vote, then you choose to not have an opinion on the outcome’. As someone who knows how hard fought the right to vote has been (and still is, in some parts of the world) I don’t appreciate seeing that opportunity go to waste by someone who refuses to see the good in any of the candidates. There has to be someone out there that aligns with one of your views - do your research and find them! However, to invalidate the opinions of people who can’t vote is wrong.

Just because you aren’t old enough to vote doesn’t mean you are too young to understand. In fact, this is an argument that I had to use to defend myself. I’ve been told that I shouldn’t voice my opinion because I’m “too young to understand, which is why voting laws exclude your age group.” (Yes, that’s actually been said to me.)

However, I have access to the media. I have access to reputable - and, unfortunately, non-credible - sources. I also possess enough judgement to discern for myself what information is relevant. That’s something that most high schoolers (hopefully) have under their belt.

Just because you don’t live in the country hosting elections doesn’t mean you are unable to find unbiased research. There are wonderful global news outlets that provide information for international spectators of our election. Not only that, but...the internet is global. The same information that Americans can access can also be accessed around the world. We all have equal access to information concerning our elections. The distinction is made by the people who outwardly seek that information. In fact, I give props to international residents who keep up with another country’s politics; these politicians still have the power to influence world views, which is why it’s so important to understand what other nations’ leaders are doing.

This argument simply boils down to research; anyone who is willing to research the scene can form an educated opinion on it. The ability to form that educated opinion does not reside solely in the hands of those who can vote. If it did, then the process of democracy wouldn’t be where it is today.

Everyone who shares an opinion influences the game, sometimes more than the voting process (if this past election cycle wasn’t evident enough). One vote is not powerful enough to start a movement; by educating yourself on the process and candidates, you can contribute to an even larger conversation and start a bigger movement. How else do you think it starts?

I’ll be eligible to vote by the 2018 elections, and I intend to do my research on every single candidate beforehand. I encourage you all to do the same, whether or not you can vote...and if you can vote, then please vote. If you can’t, then find ways to get involved. It is only through knowledge that ignorance can be defeated; by contributing to the greater conversation, the true purpose of democracy will be achieved.