The presidential election, the single most important election in America, often goes unnoticed by millions of individuals across the nation. Despite its significance over 36 percent of the 206 million eligible voters – more than 70 million people, over eight million of which were 18 to 24 – failed to cast their vote in the 2008 election. For every presidential election, millions of high school students and other adults choose not to vote. By doing so they defeat the purpose of democracy and forfeit the privilege to vote for their next commander in chief.

Ideally every eligible citizen would vote to democratically elect future officials, but many people opt out of voting and never give thought to such monumental decisions. As a democratic republic, the United States gives its people the power to elect officials who will go on to decide the future of the nation. This right comes at the heavy cost of war, and even today several other countries offer their citizens no such democratic process. America gives its people certain rights, and its people – all of them, even high school students – should utilize these rights to their fullest extent. Voting is the essence of democracy and its most crucial right.

For students, namely college-bound seniors, the election represents a chance to influence how the next four years of their education will play out. The next president can veto or sign any new bills regarding college acceptance, financing and educational requirements. He can do the same for minimum wage, thus affecting any students planning to work minimum-wage jobs in the near future. Students who don’t vote lose one of their only options to help determine the quality of their college education.

Furthermore, American elections give students the opportunity to have their beliefs and opinions represented on the federal level. Though people often claim their votes don’t matter because of the large number of other voters, 70 million people could easily tip the balance in favor of one candidate or another.

While the government does not require its citizens or its students to vote, people should recognize the weight of their decision to not vote. Especially during the presidential elections, all eligible individuals should exercise their right to vote for the next President, as the head executive of the country will be the single most powerful American for the next four years, something no one should take lightly.