“My vote doesn’t matter” is a statement we hear more than we would like to admit. But even with that belief, as an American citizen, it is your civic duty and your right to partake in voting.

Every individual’s vote counts, not only in close elections, but in every election. Whether you are voting for a school board, city council, state representative or even for the president of the United States, your single vote contributes to the future of the nation. It is these elected officials that are going to be making decisions regarding many things that affect your day-to-day life. Because of this, making your voice heard and exercising your mind by voting can make all the difference.

Additionally, the fifteenth, nineteenth and twenty-sixth Amendments to the Constitution guarantee American citizens the right to vote after decades of blood, sweat and tears. Though it may be 2018 and some may no longer need to fight as hard to cast their ballot, millions of people fought long and hard for people of all races, genders and ethnicities to let their voices be heard. Yet, the young people who reap the benefits that their predecessors bled for do not turn out, believing their vote doesn’t matter.

It is the young voters of this generation that are the ones to neglect this right, but it is their voice that is vital to society today. Being the democracy of the future, it is the American people from the ages of 18 to 29 that should be actively participating in polling.

According to Best Colleges, key issues that arise in every election relate to the concerns of students and professionals in that age demographic. Because of this, it is vital that members between this age group are educating themselves on the political issues of their concerns and taking it to the polls.

“I try to distance myself from politics” is another statement often flowing out of young individuals’ mouths, polluting those around them. Distancing yourself from politics will only make the country and world worse because less and less individuals will be educated on important issues.

The country needs fresh young minds to change the madness that has been dividing it for years. Young people, however, are less likely to vote than older generations, according to the United States Census Bureau, which reported that, in the 2016 presidential election, 46.1 percent of people aged 18 to 29 cast their ballot while 70.9 percent of people aged over 65 voted.

Moreover, one recently released poll from the Public Religion Research Institute and the Atlantic conducted in June showed only 28 percent of young adults ages 18 to 29 say they are “absolutely certain” they’ll vote in midterms, compared to 74 percent of seniors.

But maybe that poll’s wrong. A poll by Harvard University reported that 40 percent of 18 to 29-year-olds said they were likely to vote on Tuesday, according to The New York Times.

Perhaps there’s hope that young people will recognize that their vote matters and will go out to the polls. They should. You should. Go out and vote whenever you can.