In the midst of all the talk about the upcoming election, I’ve heard many discouraging things. However, what scares me most is not one of the candidates, but the fact that people may not go out and vote. There are many rights we are granted as American citizens that are quite important. Voting is one of the best rights we can exercise.

It’s something we grow up learning about. In elementary school, we study the basics of government and learn that when we reach the age of 18, we will become a part of how it all happens. In other parts of the world, young kids don’t have this luxury. They may not even get to learn about their government and may never have the chance to elect their leader.

Voting is an opportunity not only to choose who will be the face of our nation, but also the direction of our country for the next four to eight years. It’s easy to be distracted by what the media puts out there as they over analyze each candidate and make it nearly impossible to choose who is more suited for this job. It forces us to see things as an extreme. Things become so polarized and it becomes so awful that people don’t want to vote at all.

At the heart of it all, we’re voting for more than just a person. Despite their personality and the things they have done in the past, this person will be allowed to make decisions for us. How can we be okay with these decisions if we don’t vote in the first place?

Understandably, you’re not obligated to vote. Yes, the Electoral College process is complicated and it may seem like your vote doesn’t even matter. At the same time, it’s important to remember the importance of exercising your right to vote. Many fought for a right that we now take for granted.

Voting is a chance we have to exercise our voice. It’s a time for us to collect our thoughts and remember the things that are truly important at the end of it all. Many politicians are well groomed and taught how to win over a crowd. It’s no secret that they’ve been born and bred into the politicians they are today. However, we have to put aside the things the media wants us to hear and focus on the truth.

It’s time that we come together as a nation and remember what is important. When November comes, we need to go to the polls. Turn off what the news and other media outlets and make the decision based on what you believe, not on what they are feeding us.

At the end of it all, we are living in a great nation. Let’s protect what’s ours.