The right to vote is something that many Americans, especially young people, take for granted. They assume that they're entitled to it due to their citizenship, and often see it as an optional exercise and an action only worth pursuing if they feel strongly about an issue or candidate. But having a say in your country's government is a privilege available to less than 50 percent of the world's population, and was obtained through the sacrifice and dedication of many people before us. Here's why it's your responsibility to vote and why you have no excuse not to.

Your right to vote was fought for by generations of people.

The United States was formed as a country that consisted of a group of people who wanted to have a say in their government. If you were asked to summarize what you learned in your grade school American history class, the phrases "no taxation without representation" and "give me liberty or give me death" would almost surely come to mind. The ideas of having their voices heard and not letting the government officials dictate lives of the citizens was at the core of the decision to form the first Continental Congress and eventually go to war with Britain. Over 25,000 Americans were killed, as well as 25,000 more were injured. These numbers also don't include the number of people dedicated to the cause off the battlefield and the amount of lives affected by the war itself.

Although the establishment of the United States as a nation was a big moment in the timeline of voting rights, only 6 percent of the population was able to vote in the first presidential election. The right was slowly made available to various groups of people as time progressed, starting with white landowning men, to white men, to white women, to Native Americans, to Asian Americans, to African Americans, to 18-year-old's, and finally to non-English speaking citizens. It took 217 years to extend the right to vote to every type of American, and even today, many people are still met with hostility and obstacles at the polls. We should feel very grateful that we even have the opportunity to vote.

It's not a difficult process.

Registering to vote can be done online for most states in a matter of minutes. Others simply require you to fill out a form and mail it to your local voter registrar. You can find out how to register here for your particular state.

The act of voting itself is also not tedious. As long as you plan ahead and allot yourself time during election day to visit to the polls, it won't be an inconvenience. Remember your government issued I.D. and your voter I.D. if your state requires it (they'll let you know and provide you one when you registered). Fill out your ballot, receive your "I voted!" sticker, and be on your way.

It's as easy as that! No matter how busy your life is, if you're prepared, voting shouldn't take up any more time that your everyday errands do.

Your vote really does count.

A common excuse for not voting is the idea that a person's vote is one in millions and that it can't possibly have an impact, but this is untrue for several reasons. In recent political history, both presidential and electoral elections have often been dictated by a small voting margin. In swing states, in particular, every election can go either way and lies directly in the hands of voters. And if everyone adopts the mindset that their singular vote doesn't matter, then only a few opinions are heard and government because an inadequate reflection of its citizens. Plus, pre-election polls that may seem to show the election to belong to one party over another are often inaccurate because the data came from a limited group of survey participants.

Participating in government is educational (and gives you permission to complain).

Knowing what's going on in politics rounds you as a person and helps you on all levels. It teaches you the perspectives of people who think differently than you and informs you about what you're entitled to as a citizen of the United States. This is a resource that both informs you about current political and social issues, as well as who is running in the upcoming election. Many people argue that they don't vote because they don't agree with any of the candidates, but when it comes to picking a person to represent your voice in government, it's important to find the person who has, at least, some common ground with your beliefs. Because at the end of the day, someone is going to be elected, and it might as well be the person most similar to you. Instead of just straight ticketing (voting for all members of your preferred political party without knowing who they are), take half an hour to find out who's running and what they stand for before heading to the polls. This will make your vote even more powerful because it will be in your best interest.

Additionally, if you vote and your preferred politician does not win the election, you have every right to be dissatisfied with how the government is run. Yes, as an American, you should still support your country and wish for its well-being, but you can say with pride that the winner was not your choice when they do something you disagree with. If a politician you hate takes office and begins to pass policies that affect you negatively, but you did not vote, you had a chance to prevent this outcome and didn't do anything about it, leaving you with no place to express negativity.

It's an amazing experience!

You live in the country that established the modern day democratic system, that prides itself on being a nation of the people, by the people and for the people, and that lets your voice be heard in government! That in itself should be motivation to go out and place your vote; it's about as American of an experience as you can get. I'll see you all at the polls!