I have never been particularly involved in politics, but something about this election is different for me. This election will be my first opportunity to vote, and I decided not to take this privilege for granted. I want to get involved because I want my voice heard. Even if what I do makes a small fraction of a difference, if I don’t try, I am choosing to make no difference at all.

I am part of the future generation, and I want to tell my peers that we will all be affected by this coming election, and we can determine our future.

If we want to see changes that are in our favor, we need to take matters into our own hands. By not voting in the primary, we are giving up our control. We will have a choice in who runs our country if we take the opportunity to vote.

That’s why I am registering as a Democrat and voting for Bernie Sanders: the candidate I believe will take this country in the direction it needs to go – forward. Rather than allowing this country to regress, which is what I believe could happen if some of the other candidates are elected, I am not going to let that happen.

So to all of you Durango residents, college students, first-time and seasoned voters, I encourage you to vote in the primary as well, so we, together, can make a change for the better.

And if you, too, think Bernie will lead this country with dedication, then registering as a Democrat and making sure he has a chance as president is the most important thing we can do. If you think he deserves a chance, let’s give him one.

We cannot do this as a registered Independent or Republican. You can temporarily register as a Democrat and choose Bernie as our presidential candidate and make the changes we want.

You can change your party status or register at this website: www.govotecolorado.com

Mikayla Bennion

Durango