Voting for the Win!

I heard through social media that it was too late for me to register to vote (I need to register in a new state). I panicked, until I did some research of my own. I'm too late to register by mail, but I can still do it in person. Phew! I was afraid I had procrastinated too much to make the effort to be involved in the upcoming presidential election.

Now, more than I've ever seen before, there appear to be arguments about the worth of a vote when cast in certain directions. I am still learning. I don't know if people will consider my vote "wasted" or not, no matter which way I vote. But I do know this: my vote matters to me. It has some small impact in my state alone. As excited as I am to see who the next president will be, dare I say that I am more excited to be involved in the process.

I'm prepared to face it: no matter which way I vote, someone I know won't agree with me. Someone I know may be upset at me for my decision. It's easy to see this as a lose-lose-lose situation:

"I voted for Clinton."
"That dirty, crooked liar!?"

"I voted for Trump."
"That moronic bigot!?"

"I voted for [third party candidate: Johnson, Stein, McMullin, etc.]."
"How selfish! You gave the election to [Hilary/Trump]!"

I prefer to see this as a win situation:

"I voted! I've contributed my voice. I'm grateful to be an American citizen!"
"Good for you! Who did you vot—"
"Ask me in a year or two, when we've all calmed down about it." :)

I'm grateful for the opportunity to vote my mind, my conscience, my opinion, whatever you want to call it.