This election has become the catalyst for some of the most contentious debates in our nation’s history, but instigating another argument about which candidate’s political stance is completely irrelevant at this point. As November 8th quickly approaches, we can no longer rely on swaying others with our opinions.

To vote for Trump or Hillary because you believe in their views and aspirations is understandable. But this isn’t the perspective I see as I go through my newsfeed. I see angry posts based on information gathered from a Buzzed headline or the title of a Yahoo article.

If you’re going to share something on Facebook, do your research. Don’t automatically click “share” without looking into it first.

As a daughter of a former lawyer, I was taught a simple rule: “You’re allowed to voice your opinion, but only if you have a valid reason.” Even to this day, “just because” has never been an acceptable answer to my mother and I have taken that rule with me to college. (i.e. I don’t like math because I am not good with numbers and here are my grades to prove it.) And I hold myself, and those around me, to the same standards in regards to politics.

While I may have different views than other people, I have respect for those who make their choices based on facts. I cannot say I share that same respect for someone who doesn’t.

If you firmly believe in your cause, you must be willing to defend it. Being an informed voter is different than simply being a follower. By blindly agreeing with whatever you see, you could potentially be supporting and defending statements that are not only false, but harmful to those around us.

Do not make exceptions for things you do not yourself believe in. Hold the candidate you want to represent your entire country to your own personal standards. While neither candidate is perfect, which would you rather represent the entirety of our nation and why?

Associating yourself with a particular party means almost nothing in this election. Just because you’re a so-called Republican or Democrat does not automatically keep you informed. There are so many different aspects aligned with both parties, as well as each candidate within their respective party. To stay involved, you must keep up to date on the issues, rather than allowing yourself to become a follower. Being an informed voter is not only respectable, but also imperative for this election.

This election is complicated, convoluted, and chaotic. But this is the scenario that we have been presented with, and it is our decision how we choose to handle it. It’s emotionally straining to see political opinions that are not backed by information or valid facts. Seeing posts as I scroll across my Facebook timeline has turned into a painful task. So check your sources and authority before posting your next thoughts online, before speaking out against another candidate, and before casting your vote for the future leader of our country.