Making a difference can be done by one person. No matter your background, doing something accomplishes something. Doing nothing accomplishes nothing. This political season is no exception. No matter if you are fed up with the negative ads; hate one party or the other; have a personal agenda to make sure one certain issue is considered over another; not voting accomplishes nothing.

I hear another sigh: you hate the long lines at the polls. Especially those of us with disabilities, this can be a huge pain. But it doesn’t have to be. You can do what I’ve already done. Absentee vote. Check your state and local county clerk’s office for the time frame and how to absentee vote. This allows you to go in, or vote from home on your time. No major lines to wait in, no angry mobs to deal with, and you can then say you accomplished something.

My only advice: Research your candidate against the others. Don’t just vote for someone based on an ad (Most ads are misleading!). Research their websites to see what they stand for. Just because they may say they are in favor for something you like, they may also oppose something else. Also research other sites to find out what’s written between the lines. Research both pro and against sites. You do enough research and you will come across issues everyone agrees with and then weed out those that were misleading or down right false.

Does it sound like a little work? It is! But our way of life is affected by those we elect. Even after the election, don’t be afraid to have your voice heard. If a candidate said they’d do one thing and afterward doesn’t, call them on it. Call or write their office. After all, they work for us. Make your voice one that matters.