As an American citizen, you have the right to vote for political candidates. If you choose not to exercise that right, do not complain about how elections turnout. 

Midterm election season is upon us, and it is time to start thinking about your voting plan. 

On Nov. 8, citizens are able to vote in the midterms, and while this election doesn’t tend to get as much coverage as the primary election, you should still vote. 

Midterm elections allow state residents to vote for those representing them in congress. 

DeKalb residents will be able to vote for 14th district representative. This year, Representative Lauren Underwood is running for re-election against Republican Scott Gryder.  

Additionally, it was announced that current Secretary of State Jesse White would not seek reelection this year. 

Alexi Giannoulias and Dan Brady are running against each other for Secretary of State. 

“Democrat Alexi Giannoulias and Republican Dan Brady won hotly contested primaries to square off in the November election,” reported NBC Chicago. 

Illinois residents can also vote to re-elect J.B. Pritzker as governor or vote for Republican nominee Darren Bailey. 

This November there are many candidates, filling both sides of the political spectrum. There is no reason an individual of voting age should not cast their vote. 

You cannot complain about the outcome if you didn’t do anything to change the outcome. 

Voting should be fun and make you feel a sense of patriotism, your voice is being heard. 

Regardless of which political party you identify with, voting is an essential pillar of democracy and should not be wasted.