THE MADISON BRIEF:

If you are struggling to choose a presidential candidate this year, you are not alone.

According to Pew Research, only 43 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents say they are satisfied with the candidate, while only 40 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning voters are happy.

That leaves many wondering how both parties managed to nominate two candidates who could be so unlikable, making it very tempting to leave the top of the ballot blank, or perhaps, voting for a third party or write-in candidate.

If you are one of those Americans, or know someone who is, this message is for you:

So the presidential election didn’t turn out how you had hoped.   We get it; you don’t want to vote for either of these two candidates.  Yea, sometimes politics is a blood sport, and democracy gets messy.  But here’s the deal:  You are an American citizen, and voting is the foundation of our democracy; it is a right that many people around the world can only dream about.

Yes, with voting, comes responsibility, and this year, the decision is very difficult –– so difficult that you would rather cast a “protest” vote than have the stain of either candidate on your conscience.

Unfortunately, making difficult decisions is part of our civic duty — and the success of our democracy requires it.  Voting this year may be hard, but perhaps it is instructive to recognize other ordinary citizens who have made extraordinary choices:

• It must be very difficult for the young men and women who choose to enter the armed services to fight for our democratic values.  
• It must also be very difficult for families who bravely decide to support and say goodbye to their military sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers so that we can kiss our loved ones in peace each and every night.  
• Certainly, it must be difficult for First Responders, who make those selfless split-second decisions to run “to”, and not “from” danger when the life of a complete stranger is at stake.
• And it must be unimaginably difficult for those who choose to persevere after losing a loved one in the line of duty so that our American values endure….

Still thinking of leaving the top of the ballot blank, or voting for a third party or write-in candidate?  Perhaps it is worth noting that, historically,  protest votes, or blank ballots, in presidential elections have never amounted to anything — except to abdicate the responsibility of one’s own citizen-hood onto another.

Voting for Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump can be a difficult choice. But, for the good of this country, difficult choices have to be made, and we must have the courage to make them.

It is the very least we can do.