GO VOTE.

Monday during our in class discussion when our professor asked us who voted during the presidential primaries only two or three hands went up, which was pretty disappointing since everyone doesn’t want to see Donald Trump get elected but aren’t doing anything to prevent it. In 1776, one vote gave the United States the English language instead of German. In 1923, it was one vote that gave Adolf Hitler leadership of the Nazi Party. Finally, in 1876, it was one vote that declared Rutherford B. Hayes as the 19^th president of the united states. With this being said one vote can make history and its because of history that we need to vote, it is our civic responsibility.

We need to shape the social agenda. Are you passionate about a particular social issue? Gay marriage, capital punishment and the separation of church and state are only a few of many contentious topics that dominate the political discourse. Learn about candidates' views on issues that are important to you, and vote in support of your beliefs.

Economic polices will affect OUR future. Most expect social security benefits to be gone or greatly diminished by the time college-aged individuals reach retirement age - which will be higher than it is now. Politicians continually make decisions about higher education costs and student loan policies. These and other issues prove you have an important economic interest in every election.

Politicians know who votes each election, and they are more likely to support initiatives that are popular among groups with the highest voter turnout. For college students to have significant political influence, they must turn out in greater numbers than is traditionally seen. We have a part to play in that.

By voting you are not only doing your part to influence the present, you are also affecting the future. Demonstrating this point well is the fact that the president selects U.S. Supreme Court Justices for lifetime appointments. These judicial officials may exert powerful influence for decades to come.

There was a time in this great country where only white, adult male property owners had the right to vote. Because of countless individuals before us work tirelessly to ensure voter equality, most of us only have to turn 18 to be eligible to vote. Students make up an enormous amount of the voting bloc for this upcoming election and thus make a huge political influence. According to RocktheVote.com, our generation makes up one quarter of the entire electorate, meaning 25 percent of the election is determined by us young people.

As American citizens, we all have a duty to democracy to let our voices be heard. Voting gives us a license to complain about the government and politics. Voting empowers us to make history and make a difference. Voting allows us to be a part of the most famous democracy in the world. So hashtag all you want, but the reality is real change will not occur unless you step into the voting booth.