For United States citizens on Tuesday, it may have been difficult to avoid the question intrinsic to our democratic process: Did you vote?

Hopefully, you answered yes.

In 2018, it should no longer be a choice of the masses to disengage from the political process. As a United States citizen your voice — and your vote — matters.

But yet the political process is draining, frustrating and more often than not, disheartening. It also takes extreme effort to participate and be educated in. To top it all off, it is extremely divisive.

We understand that. Politics can feel exclusionary and distant. Once candidates are elected, they’re less available. They head off to Washington and the state capitol instead of knocking doors and having one-on-one conversations with constituents on a regular basis.

However, you should use your ability as a voter and actor in the state of democracy as a tool for change. Should your candidate of choice be elected, use it as an energizing force and continue to fight for what you believe is best for our government and for its people.

Should your candidate of choice lose, don’t give up the fight for what you believe as the right the person and right path forward for your local, state and federal government.

The right to vote has been paved by the blood, sweat and tears of women, people of color and their allies.

While the 15th Amendment was ratified in 1870, which guaranteed black men the right to vote, the use of poll taxes and literacy tests disenfranchised non-white men for long after.

Women weren’t guaranteed the right to vote until 50 years later in 1920. Supporters of this amendment were, too, met with resistance.

Even 98 years later, the political process is still not quite built for its people. But as United States citizen who have the right to vote, barring convicted felons, it is crucial that you do all in that you can in your power to participate in this democracy and make your voice count.

Do not lose hope. If you sat this election out, participate in the next. Leading up that point, rally behind a candidate. Attend open forums, send letters to your elected officials, recognize your role in serving as an educator and fighter for the values and beliefs you hold dear.

Politics takes time, it takes energy and it takes privilege. Do not let that barr you from advocating for what you believe is right.

But no matter what, you will either wake up Nov. 7 excited for the path ahead and in agreeance with your newly elected official; or distraught and disenfranchised that the candidate you dedicated the last several months of your life advocating for lost.

Through it all, you cannot lose hope.