There is no doubt that I am voting once I am able to. Voting is a civil responsibility that we must adhere to. Every day, brave men and women die for us to have the right to write a name on a piece of paper and have it matter to something greater. The second we turn down that right, we are rejecting the ideals that this country was based on. We are minimizing the value of those lives lost for said right. If you don't vote, you are rejecting a freedom that many risk everything they have to come here for. If you reject that privilege you no longer have a right to complain of the turnout of this government. You have no right to belittle those that have the courage to say, "Yes, I have an opinion and I will help it anyway I can." You have no right to look at a decorated person of service and think the worst because they fought so you have the right to participate in a government that you abandoned. I am proud to say everyone I care about voted, and once I turn that liberating age of 18, I will proudly stick my vote in the ballot box too.
Often, I think about how tiny I am in a world so full of people. It makes me feel insignificant, like my voice will never be heard. But now as I'm growing older, I've realized that voting is a way in which everyone's voice can be heard. No matter who you are, or what you do, you have an opportunity to make a difference in this country. I used to think that everyone else's vote would just overpower my own, so it didn't really matter if I voted or not. But now as I am becoming more politically aware, I know that every single vote matters. Voting is a privilege, something that had to be fought for in order for everyone to have the opportunity. If you don't vote, then you aren't doing your duty as an American citizen. Deciding not to vote is like taking the power you have to make a change in our government, and giving it to someone else. You probably wouldn't let someone else choose what clothes you wear, or what foods you eat every day, so why would you relent your say in the government to someone else? I'm very excited to be able to vote once I turn 18, because it means that I'll be able to have a say in what goes on in our government.
To this point in my life, my family has instilled in me the value of voting. It is what makes our country special and is what so many fought their whole lives for. Based on my experiences and understanding of our country's history, I would feel like I was disrespecting the country to not cast my votes when I become able to. In fact, I look forward to the day that I can make my voice heard in our national government. Whether or not you care for any of the candidates, voting is important because when parts of the population are not represented, our representative democracy cannot function to its full extent. While the process is far from perfect right now, our country's ability to vote for their representative gives each and every eligible voter a say in our government. This midterm election is massively important and I am trying to follow so that I can be more educated for when my turn to vote comes. Unfortunately, I will just barely miss being eligible to vote in the next presidential election. This is disappointing, but it will provide me time to witness another election that I cannot participate in. This will give me more information and make me that much more qualified to cast my vote four years later. However, it frustrates me when people choose to not vote even though they can because I would give anything to have my voice heard in government.