This week I learned about the importance of checking everyone on the ballot, and not just the candidates you hear about on the news. This year has been a difficult one for the world in general, but if this year has confirmed anything for me it’s that if I want to know what’s really happening in the world I have to do my own research. I have to spend some time looking at both sides of an issue, and deciding for myself where I stand on an issue. 

This past week like most citizens of the United States I took advantage of my right to vote. I know voting is a privilege people have sacrificed and died for, but this is the first year I actually would say I felt like an informed voter. I actually took the time to research each and every candidate and measure on the ballot. I’m going to be honest. I usually research for about an hour before I go to the polls in person. I have never known how to research the judges until this year, and normally just picked large sections to put through.

I can honestly say that I may never vote in person again. I liked the feeling that I care about who wins because I spent five hours filling in my ballot. I want to be able to vote in peace without having to worry about how I’m probably keeping the person In line behind me from being able to rest after a long workday. It makes me sick when I think about the people I put through because they sounded nice, or they had a certain last name.  I could have voted in someone who has a history of taking bribes or has a tendency to give excessive sentences to people of color. I made quick decisions that could have hurt people I love. I know voting isn’t perfect. I am one person. Every single candidate I picked could lose, and some people might say I wasted my vote. I understand their reason for believing that a single vote doesn’t matter. Do you trust those around you enough to vote for your best interests? Protests are important if we as a people are angry about how our country is being run. I will help in any way I can, but if we don’t vote then how can we expect real change? 

I’m going to spend the rest of my day watching Hallmark and cuddled under a blanket. The best I can do is hope that we can come together as a country, and fix some of our issues. No country is perfect, but we can certainly try.