Many citizens of the United States are concerned about the importance of their vote this year and if it will even count towards the election. Depending on what state you live in, your vote may have more weight one way or the other. For example, if you vote Trump in Massachusetts, your vote may not mean as much due to the fact that Massachusetts generally votes for the Democratic candidate. However, if you vote for Biden in Alabama, there will be a similar effect as Alabama votes Republican and Trump is almost guaranteed to win their state’s vote. If every citizen does not utilize their right to vote, our country’s President will not be fully represented by the people, and if the presidential election of 2020 is a close percentage, it will be no surprise due to the very contradicting views of the two main candidates. In other words, every vote is vital to our country’s future.

Although the swing states are varying this year from the past elections, they are typically Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin. This year it slightly differs and more specifically for the 2020 election, the swing states are most likely going to be Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carlina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. It is especially crucial to vote if you live in a swing state because the popular vote in that state can go either way easily. Most states have one party that is voted for by the majority of the citizens, but swing states are closely divided in their political opinion and can allow close elections in percentage to be determined.

Either way, it is still vital to vote this year and there is an option to send in the mail ballot for people to feel safer and more confident that their vote will count. It also prevents voters from having to wait in large lines especially with COVID-19 playing a role in our society today. 

In addition, between the active spread of COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter Movement, the United States is in a delicate position at all times. Your vote will help to establish a base for our country and the policies that are enforced in order to prevent COVID as well as shape how our country handles the protests and racial injustices. As TMHS English teacher John Byrnes states, “I think it is the most important single civil right we have and it is the biggest source of systemic racism in the country today, particularly in the South East.” In order to utilize such a privilege to vote as well as to assist in the country’s current downfalls, every single vote helps to build how the United States is run for the next four years. If the U.S downfall continues at this rate, many citizens will endure and experience mistreatment, specifically minorities.

The future of the United States is held in your hands. If you can vote this year, make sure to receive a mail ballot or go to vote in-person to represent your country and impact millions of lives.