Politics. There, I said it. Frankly, I’m fed up with how this presidential election season is going. I’m tired of hearing about it, and I will be so happy once November comes and this is all over with.

Voting is a very important thing. Being able to have a voice in who gets to lead our country is not something citizens of other countries might have the freedom to do. We should all exercise our right to vote if we are eligible to do so.

The thing that upsets me out of all of this is the hatred going on in our nation during campaign season. Candidates bash on other candidates. Candidates are promoting violence. Voters are violent, rude, and frankly, childish, toward those who have different political view than them.

So, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, “Erin’s Guide to Voting for President.”

1. Be kind. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. Just because they may differ from yours does not mean you need to hate, act violently or be rude.

2. Understand that running for president isn’t easy. I think being president would be one of the hardest jobs out there. It takes a lot of guts to run for president in the first place.

3. Decide what you believe is right and wrong. I’m not going to tell you what you should believe, but I do think you should know what you stand behind when it comes to political issues.

4. Once you know what’s important to you, research candidates and where they stand on those issues.

5. Pick someone to vote for who best fits what you think needs to be done and changed in this country.

6. Still not seeing a candidate you think you could support? That’s okay. Follow step seven.

7. On the first Tuesday in November, go out to a poll and vote. If you can’t get behind a candidate on the ballot, write someone’s name in, even if it’s your mom or dad. Voting for someone is better than voting for no one at all.

8. Most importantly, remember no one is perfect. Be humble, be kind, and definitely don’t be a jerk. I give this advice for life in general too, not just politics.

 

Erin Murtaugh is an undergraduate at Bemidji State University studying elementary education. She can be reached at murtaugh.erin@gmail.com.