In the days since the midterm elections, you’ve probably heard a fair share of people on campus either complaining or bragging about the Republican party’s congressional takeover. If you’re one of the ones complaining about the results, chances are you’ve cited manipulative tactics or a nationally growing stupidity among US citizens. The truth, though, is that you and your peers probably didn’t vote.

The Chart recently surveyed 50 randomly selcted students at Missouri Southern. Of that representative population, only 34% of them stated that they had voted or planned to vote.

If you’re a Democrat and you didn’t vote, then it’s no wonder the elections turned out the way they did. You let it happen, so stop complaining. You have no one else to blame but yourself.

If you’re a Republican and you didn’t vote, then you’re either arrogant, lazy or you don’t really deserve to call yourself a Republican. Whatever the case may be, it didn’t really seem to matter much in the end.

If you’re neither Republican or Democrat, then chances are next to no one has ever heard of your party and your vote probably wouldn’t have made much difference in this country anyway. Sorry, that’s just the beauty of a two-party system. Keep trying, though. You might get a win someday — maybe not soon, but someday.

Bottom line: no matter what election it is, be it presidential or midterms, the best way to get your voice heard is to cast a ballot — not complain about the results after the fact.