All around the country, people have been protesting for issues that impact them, and for change to be made in legislation. However, the one thing that guarantees your individual voice is heard is voting. 

One vote may seem unimportant, but it can end up adding up to be a deciding factor in an election. 

An example of when one vote certainly made a difference was regarding Ainsworth and Buxton, who both ran for a spot in the Vermont House of Representatives in 2016. 

It had ended with Ainsworth winning by 1004-1003, one vote among 2,007 had decided their fate. And now as of Nov. 3, 2020, it’s no longer just Vermont but instead, the United States as a whole. 

Though protesting and signing petitions not only sends a message behind the actions. It also brings significant change as it unites one together. But voting will create the pointed answer and the future along with it. 

Petitions for the Black Lives Matter movement have created budget cuts for the police departments and had the police arrested and charged with the death of George Floyd.  

Most importantly, it had shed light on a worldly issue and brought immense change as it gave people a clear look on problems such as police brutality and inequality. But there are still times when petitions will fail and when protesting won’t end with results that you might’ve wanted.

But voting can contribute to getting the answer that one wants for their country.

“Living in a democracy, it’s really the duty and the responsibility of citizens to help create the society that they want and as a country that we decided that voting is a means by which we can do that,” said Delise Anderson, AP World History teacher.

Voting will set the answer in stone, whether it is compared to protesting by marching on the streets or signing petitions that will only voice the message behind the movements. 

“The idea of freedom of speech manifesting in the protests that we’re seeing is something that’s very necessary to I think, the success of a democracy,” said Delise Anderson, AP World History teacher. 

Whilst they absolutely do bring an impact to society and voices the concerns and changes that need to be made. Voting has a much greater influence on the future ahead, as it can be the start of many changes that can happen to America.

On November 3rd of 2020, the presidential election will happen to determine who will be in the spot of presidency. And if one is of age and possesses the time to vote, then there’s every reason to put the vote of one’s choice into the ballot.

In turn, the votes accumulated all around the United States of America will create one undeniable answer to the questions or hopes that one might have for the future of their country.