I think my favorite thing to do is to beat a dead horse. Figuratively, of course. I plan to shout it from the rooftops, and by rooftops, I mean softly encouraging people I see to get out and vote on Tuesday.

Voting is fundamental to American democracy. Voting allows the voice of the people to be heard, and it allows the ones that represent us to hold office.

Well, it is supposed to, but when large chunks of our population choose not to vote, the ones that are elected to office largely don’t represent the American people. We are not a nation of one color, one sex and one age, and if we allow a very small population of us to dictate who the elected officials are, then the needs of the country as a whole will not be met.

In the 2016 election, according to the U.S. Census, only 43 percent of people 18 to 24 voted while 70.9 percent of those 65 and older voted. Only 61.4 percent of registered voters overall even turned out to the polls. That doesn’t sound very good, and I’m hoping that a change can be made.

Because of the internet, I imagine most young adults don’t pick up the newspaper, so I’m counting on the people that are taking the time to read this to encourage the people in their life to vote.

Tell your grandchildren, your neighbors’ kids or anyone that will listen to vote. Beat the same dead horse that I am constantly beating.

Encourage them to read about their candidates, decide what is important to them and vote with their heart. Voting is the most American thing you can do.

The internet is a great resource to find out where to vote, information about the candidates and anything else your heart desires. Thankfully, if you’re not a computer whiz, the Suffolk News-Herald will be publishing all the information voters need for the polls in our Sunday edition.

Take a second and get to know your candidates and get to the polls. It’s just a few days away!