Musicians on why it is so imperative to vote in this election

With Election Day only one week away, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed. This has been a long, intense election cycle that has left many feeling disenchanted. While you may feel like you are choosing between the lesser of two evils, it is still important to make a choice. We asked musicians why it is so imperative to vote.  

Aaron Pauley, Of Mice & Men

I believe that it's important to study the issues, to make informed decisions and to go out [and] vote. Whether it's a presidential election, or your local city election, you can impact the community around you. Your vote is your voice, and just one of many tools for change—USE IT.

Kenneth Downey, Too Close To Touch

Voting gives our beliefs and opinions a voice. If you truly care about how your country is run, do your research and make your voice heard. Remaining silent achieves nothing. Stand up for what you believe in.

Nathaniel Motte, 3OH!3

Voting is very important, as it's the fundamental way in which we express our opinions and exercise our power as members of our society. It's a responsibility and it's a privilege—one that shouldn't be taken lightly. It's vitally important to educate ourselves about the important issues, so that we can vote with knowledge and not ignorance. I think our nation and our society are at a very important crux in our history—come be part of that history, and we'll see you at the polls this November!

Donovan Melero, Hail The Sun

While the country may seem like it's in disarray at the moment, one of the most important things we can do to speak our voice is offer our vote. Without that right, democracy could not exist. However, equally important is being educated and informed before we vote. If we don’t take the time to learn what we are voting for, I feel like that actually might be a disservice to ourselves and the country.

TJ Horansky, Sleep On It

If you are feeling frustrated by the recent amount of bigotry, misogyny, racism and xenophobia that certain candidates have tried normalize and push upon this country, you are not alone. It affects all of us and should not be justified for any reason. The best way to peacefully combat hate in our political system is to vote. It is the best way to have your voice heard!

Elijah Witt, Cane Hill

Your vote matters because you're afforded the right to do so. You live in a country that allows you to (kind of) have a voice and prevent the wrong people from having unlimited control. Not voting is honestly frivolous and selfish.

Buddy Nielsen, Senses Fail

I think it’s imperative to vote—for anyone that’s not Donald Trump. I don’t really care who you vote for as long as you don’t vote for Donald Trump. I would have to spend really 20 minutes digging into all the reasons why I feel that way. It’s imperative to the health of our country that we do not elect Donald Trump. It’s for the health of the economy, as well as the moral duty we have to each other. It’s just not possible to vote for Donald Trump.

I don’t really like either candidate. I’m excited that a female will be president—that’s the one takeaway that I’m happy about. Someone other than a man will be president for the first time, and that’s really awesome. That opens the door. I think that at this point, that is what is important about this election: opening the door for future generations to realize the mistakes that were made on this election and the ridiculous options we have, that hopefully inspire other people to serving in a capacity. Those are my takeaways. That cool, I hope a woman becomes president, that’s super awesome after the first African American man. Maybe next [term] we’ll have a brown woman, maybe somebody who’s not straight. To think that we’ll have 12 years without a white man in the Oval Office is pretty cool. I think that that’s a consolation.