With election season in full swing, the time to vote is coming, and it’s coming at us hard and fast.

In a short couple of months, Americans everywhere will be casting their ballots for who they want the next president to be, and there are many things to consider. I think everyone can agree that we want to elect a leader who shares the same values and morals as us Americans, as well having as great ideas for the country.

Everyone has this same hope and expectation for the country, but what they don’t realize is this choice won’t even become possible if they don’t take advantage of and use their right to vote.

Anyone can say they want a certain person in office, whether it be Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, Bernie Sanders, whoever it may be. And we certainly know people feel very strongly about who they don’t want in office. Yet, so many of these people who have these strong opinions don’t even vote.

To me it seems like a no brainer: vote for the leader of your country to make it the place you want to live in. Express your right that was fought over for centuries, and make the change you want. All of these things are what it means for you and your country when you vote.

I think all Americans of legal age should vote because, why not?

Believe it or not, many American citizens don’t vote. But the largest number of people who don’t among the non-voters are young people.

Many people don’t vote because they claim that “their vote doesn’t matter.” Others think they aren’t obligated to, or don’t feel they are educated enough on the world and the issues to make an educated vote. And then there’s the crowd who simply just don’t know how, or where, to become a voter.

The good news is these problems people have when it comes to voting can easily be solved. When you look at the big picture, I think every vote DOES matter!

Alli Gavin, a sophomore at American International College, said that she is registered to vote, but hasn’t taken her opportunity to vote yet. She realizes the importance of voting and says that “it’s important to vote to make the world a better place.”

Gavin hasn’t personally voted yet because she said she hasn’t had the time before, and doesn’t follow politics so she doesn’t feel she can make an educated vote.

“If you’re not educated enough to vote you, may make a wrong decision and vote for the wrong person,” Gavin said.

I think this is a very valid point, and this is how many people her age feel as well. People want to feel like they are really educated before they take their opportunity to vote, which isn’t a bad thing at all.

So now it’s just about getting Americans who aren’t voters educated on the topic of voting. It’s about raising more awareness about the candidates, the election and how to vote. It’s important to supply young people with the information they need to register to vote, and make the best choice on Election Day.

AIC has done a lot to promote students to vote as well. One organization right here at AIC that helps with this process, and promoting students to vote is AIC’s organization POWER (short for ‘Political Opinions Will Encourage Reaction’).

This is a non-partisan political activism organization, and there is no other group like it on campus. All year long, they plan programs trying to engage students in activities, and give students a platform for all voices to be heard.

With the 2016 presidential election here, the organization has had many plans to educate the AIC students. They have been working to get more people to register to vote by holding a voting registration at AIC and educating students on the voting process.

Zach Rodriguez, also a sophomore at AIC, is the secretary of POWER. According to Rodriguez, the organization gives students different opportunities to attend rallies, attend debate watch parties and more. To advertise the voting registration event, they posted on the ‘Weekly Buzz,’ printed out flyers to hang all around campus, and they communicated with residence life to have flyers out in the residence halls as well.

Not only do we need to add more people to list of voters, but we need to add more educated voters. AIC’s program with POWER helps to inform students about candidates, voting and how they can get involved.

Rodriguez is also a registered voter, and says he believes voting is very important.

“Your vote is your voice as an American citizen,” he stated. “It’s your opportunity to be heard, to hold elected officials accountable for their decisions and to have a say in important issues that affect your country.”

Not only is voting so important because it lets people express their freedom, and rights to choose and to have a say, but it helps to elect a leader who suits all of America’s overall needs.

Voting is so important because in order for there to be a fair election where the leader elected really represents the needs and wants of the United States, we need to have all varieties of people voting.

According to MassVote.org, there is a big gap between the types of people that vote. For the past three decades, the majority of voters have been of higher income and older age.

With such a gap, the people who are poor, younger, or of color aren’t getting the say they should. Ultimately this could mean the next president will be someone who suits the old and wealthy instead of someone who is a good suit for everyone, because they are the majority of voters.

Americans need to take the opportunity and choose the future they want for themselves, their children and their children’s families to come. This isn’t going to happen unless the gap from from voters to non-voters decreases.

It all starts right here, right now with that easy first step to casting a ballot on Election Day – a vote for your freedom, your say, and a chance to make this country an even better place than it is today.

Your vote is your voice as an American citizen, and on Election Day, every vote matters.