I’m seeing a lot of tweets and posts saying things like “Vote like the fate of the world is at stake” and I get why that’s a rallying cry right now, but I have something to say about it.

Voting in this country (or any country with voting for that matter) is not just a right. It is a responsibility. It may not be legally mandatory – though it should be – but it is your responsibility as a citizen to participate in the selection of the people running our government.

Your vote affects taxes, healthcare, reproductive freedom, the environment, when and where this country goes to war, and the equity of all citizens. Your vote affects the lives of people who cannot vote, including children, immigrants, the incarcerated, and especially for America, the rest of the world. The choices this country makes has an effect worldwide and no one who is eligible should sit out.

The fate of the world is ALWAYS at stake.

Sure you legally have a choice. But you shouldn’t.