In less than 50 days, Americans will head to the voting booths to choose their next president. The outcome of this presidential election will determine whether America’s enduring story of progress is secured and furthered, or endangered and diminished.
Personally, this will be the first presidential election that I am old enough to vote in. I am young enough not to remember the election of George W. Bush that well, but old enough to remember the two optimistic and historical elections of Barack Obama—can you guess my age? Since I am now old enough to vote in a presidential election, I will not miss my opportunity to engage in a historic decision that will affect our country for years to come.
Sadly, many Americans will not turn out to vote this November. There are those who simply are not content with either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton—for them, it seems better to just skip this election. Others just do not believe that their vote matters. And some are prevented from voting due to outrageous voting laws.
A few weeks ago at the Democratic National Convention, President Barack Obama coined a phrase that has been embraced by millions of Americans: “Don’t boo. Vote.” To every single person who is reading this article, I urge you to vote. I urge you to tell your friend to vote. I urge to tell your friend to tell their friend to vote. I urge you to help register people to vote, and encourage those who are discouraged from voting to vote.
Wars were not fought, blood was not spilled and people were not jailed in order to secure a “temporary” right to vote. Sacrifices were made in order to make sure that all Americans, of all backgrounds and beliefs, have an everlasting opportunity to have a say in how their government functions.
Whether you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent, all of us know what is at stake in this election. Let us rise up and make our voices heard at the ballot box. The future of our nation hangs in the balance.
Daniel Hurley
Plainsboro
Hurley is president of the Mercer County Community College Democrats
