Often when we think of our presidents, we envision someone who is poised, respectful, educated, aware, and powerful. Most of these characteristics seem to be absent from the 2016 Presidential stage. In a little over a month Americans will elect the next President of the United States. It is frightening to imagine that this country’s direction will be left in the hands of one of the less than stellar candidates.

The 2016 Presidential Election has been like no other. In previous years, citizens rushed to the voting booths wearing their major parties pride while wholeheartedly believing that their candidate would make a change. However, in the 2016 election, many citizens are considering not voting at all as they’d rather cast no vote, than vote for a flawed representative of their political party or a member of the opposite party.

Democratic Party turnout in the primaries and caucuses has decreased by nearly 20%, about 4.5 million people less than in 2008 (Breitbart News). Opinions vary as to why these numbers are down, but one school of thought that seems universally accepted is that voters don’t identify with either candidate. In order for a person to feel confident in supporting a candidate, that candidate must be relatable to a variety of people while making few mistakes along the way. This has been difficult to find as neither candidate is particularly likeable and both are flawed.

The 2016 election seems to be an exercise in dirty politics. Name calling, false accusations, finger pointing, and blaming others for what is wrong in this country is the rule for this election. One candidate refuses to release taxes, as the other refuses to release personal emails. How can people trust either candidate with their vote, when they pledge to uphold the Constitution in front of cameras, but cover up their indiscretions behind the scenes? This election season has found a candidate saying suggestive or racist things against minorities one week, and the next week that same candidate can be found sitting in a primarily African American Baptist Church making promises that they have no plans to try to carry out.

There are 10.7 million more eligible voters today than there were in the 2012 election. Nearly one-in-three eligible voters on Election Day (31%) will be Hispanic, African American, Asian or another racial or ethnic minority, up from 29% in 2012 (Pew Research Center). The minority vote controls a big part of the election. Though both candidates have their flaws, these new voters would be wise to do their homework and vote with their heads for the candidate more likely to do something for their interest and communities. The increase in voter registrants and actual voters could be the difference that allows a businessman or a former first lady to assume the high position of president. Voting makes the powerless, powerful.

In spite of the flaws in our system of government and particularly in the way we elect public officials this is the system our forefathers established to put the will of the people first. One might think they can’t put faith in either as president, but their vote still makes a difference. If you don’t vote you don’t count and you forfeit your right to complain if things go wrong down the road.