COLUMNS: Shame on those who refused to vote

Finally. Election day has finally arrived and passed, and I think I can speak on behalf of almost everyone in expressing our relief. This election season has taken its toll on almost everyone, regardless of whether or not you have been paying attention to what is happening.

The end of the election not only means we find out which candidate will take over local, state and national government positions, but also the end of some negative side effects that come with big elections, especially presidential elections.

I, for one, will be looking forward to not seeing anymore crazy advertisements, no more obnoxious social media arguments and most of all, people and politicians can go back to working and stop campaigning.

No matter how you feel about the candidates or the political parties that are involved, one common theme should stand above any candidate or party and that is voting.

Voting is the one simple act that proves one’s worth and dedication towards society and the local community. The fact that America’s democracy has been around so long that people today take advantage of their own God-given right to have a voice on who makes decisions that affect their own lives is a sad truth for our society.

It doesn’t take much to express a vote one way or the other and if you do not vote out of choice, I understand there must be a valid decision pushing someone that way.

However, when I hear people say they don’t care or they don’t like either candidate and therefore they won’t vote, I shake my head. If you don’t care about the political process or how our lawmakers receive power that is completely fine as it is an ugly business that has failed to realize how easily it turns people away rather than inspiring them.

Today, I heard a story of a newly 18-year-old public high school student that voted in his first election by being the 45th person to cast his vote at 7:20 a.m. before he went to school. With a smile on his face he didn’t care what his peers or even older adults tried telling him that his vote did not count in the long run. The fact is he voted to show his support to the overall benefit of the community and his belief that his voice can help the society around him.

It was a story that I wish more people could take to heart. I am not claiming to go vote one way or the other.  I also respect the feeling people think that not voting makes a bigger personal statement than actually voting, but the beginning of a downfall for any democracy starts with people refusing to be involved in the system that works for them.