As election day approaches, we are all
left with a heavy decision as to who we want to vote for. This
election has been nothing short of controversial, and I have a
feeling it's not going to get any better as we get closer to November
8. A lot of Americans are still undecided as to who they
should vote for at the polls, so let me help you decide.
I'm not going to tell you that you
should vote for Trump or Hilary, because I don't know your personal
values and morals. I'm not going to tell you to lean toward one
party or the other because I'm leaning a certain way. That isn't how
this works, and it's really not fair to pressure anyone into voting
for someone they don't want to vote for. The beauty of our right to
vote is that we can vote for who we feel should run this country. Social
media has been nothing but election talk, and I'm sure you know who
all your friends are going to vote for, and that's their personal
decision to openly give their opinion of the candidates. You are
welcome to do that too, but if you're undecided please dig deeper
than your Facebook newsfeed. There are tons of websites that will
tell you what the candidates stand for, and what they believe in. CNN,
along with other news affiliates, have a politics page that tells you
everything you need to know about the election. Do your research and
be an informed voter.
If you have already decided who you are
going to vote for, that is wonderful. You are going to be ready to go
on election day, or even during early voting. You know who you want to run
this country, and you believe that one of the candidates will do a
good job. However, please be gracious to others who aren't voting for
the same candidate as you. My morals and values might be the same as
someone else, or they may be completely different. However, they are
my morals. I choose to believe what I believe, and if you
hound me about my decision as to who to vote for then you are wasting
your time. I have my right to vote freely, just like you.
Here is the most important part about
voting: YOU HAVE TO VOTE IF YOU CAN. I get that some people just
don't vote, but it is a right that we should exercise. We are so
lucky to have the option to pick a president, and we should use that.
I'm not beating down non-voters, but your voice matters even if you
don't think it does. The person who is elected on November 8 will move into the White House for four whole years. That may not
seem like a long time, but a lot of good or bad can be done in that
time.
You matter, as well as your vote.
Again, I'm not going to tell you who specifically to vote for, but
you should go with your heart. If you don't feel prepared enough to
make an informed decision, do your research before you go to the
polls. Rewatch the debates, or get online and see which candidate
stands for what. There is a lot riding on this election, and you have
a say. Vote for the person who you feel could run this country, and
who could fix the problems we face as a nation. If you don't like
Trump or Hillary, you can always write in who you feel would be the
best fit as president. People tend to forget that's an option. Don't
vote for who your family wants you to vote for or who your spouse is
voting for. Voting is a huge personal choice, and it's not a decision
anyone can make for you. Get out there on November 8,
and make sure you feel good about your decision as you step away from the
polls
