It’s that time of year again. Election time. Next month will be the first time some students are voting for anything, let alone Presidential nominees. I’m not going to try and persuade you to vote one way or another. I don’t care if you are a Democrat, Republican, or Independent, but I do care that you vote. Let’s talk about research. Please use more than one media source for your information about the candidate you want to vote for. Do not simply rely on one single entity for your information. Broaden your horizons. Each station, web site, and newspaper is biased. There is no way around it. I know that media outlets claim to be unbiased and not have an opinion, but it’s there. Go through each one. If what they say makes you upset, or gives you something else to think about, good. Form your own opinion. Check out the issues that concern you, whether it be abortions, pipelines, or gay rights. Make sure you know the facts about what your chosen candidate really intends with each.

Regardless of party affiliation, choose the candidate that best fits your own ideals and morals. If you are a Republican and the Democratic nominee seems like the better choice, vote for them. If you are a Democrat and the Independent nominee represents your voice for certain issues better, by all means, that should be your vote. Do not conform to strict confines of party affiliations when that candidate might not have your best interests at heart.

Feel free to vote apart from your own party, if you have one. “We the People” means each of us have a vote. Our votes should matter. Get out there and make it matter.