A vote is a voice in this tumultuous election season. Sitting out the vote is a silent, selfish protest affording itself to the appalling crime of remaining neutral in a time of difficult decision.

A vote in this election is the only agent of change, a voice to either support the nation's current track or divert the country onto another causeway. Even more so, the two choices for president offer starkly contrasting views of the country and the path of prosperity they hope to lead it to.

Clinton has often been lauded as the establishment choice, unfavored by swaths of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Donald Trump supporters and loathed for being associated with multiple scandals. Clinton has long been forecasted to continue the current policies of President Obama’s Administration, while adding her own twist to foreign and domestic affairs.

Trump has been denounced as sexist, racist and his lack of experience in the political realm has labeled him as genuinely unfit for office of the presidency. Trump’s plans offer a reversal of President Obama’s, policies including a tightening of strict immigration laws, large tax cuts for the wealthy and a renegotiation of the country’s trade deals.

Other options have popped up in this election, including Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson and Green Party candidate Jill Stein. The two of have garnered small traction in the polls thus far and have run on platforms of being change agents.

Whether your views align with any candidate in this election, it is important to get to the polls on Nov. 8 to make your voice heard.

Even further, the next president will be able to select the next Supreme Court justice following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. Other justices could retire or fall as well during the next four years. 

A vote in this election adds your voice to the direction you want to see this country take. Abstention from voting is a farce. Many seek change in this country, but fail to do anything about it. Here's an opportunity.

Real change can be made through voting, especially in local and statewide races. In fact, the best way to inflict change is not from the top down but from the bottom up at state elections.

The college age electorate has been a meager voice in elections of the past. It's a quandary for a group so rife with opinions. But that can change here.

For a group with many dreams and goals, here's another opportunity to make a step toward progress or change.

But it won't matter if you fail to register before the Oct. 11 deadline, or fail to vote on Nov. 8. 

The State News Editorial Board is made up of the Editor-in-chief Jake Allen, Managing Editor Cameron Macko, Diversity Representative Alexea Hankin, Staff Representative Stephen Olschanski, City Editor Josh Bender, Campus Editor Rachel Fradette, Sports Editor Casey Harrison, Features Editor Connor Clark and Copy Chief Casey Holland. City Editor Josh Bender did not sit in on this editorial board meeting.