This election season so far has been certainly one to remember, and it feels as though no time has passed since the candidates first announced their campaigns. But soon enough the people will be casting their last vote. While all Americans have had the right to vote for years, countless people can forget how many countries don’t allow their citizens to vote, which is why it’s important that the people of America are informed and educated on how to vote. Yet even after all this time, many Americans still aren’t.

In the 2016 election, many can find it hard to determine what a candidate stands for, and may default to rhetoric such as speeches to figure out where Hillary Clinton’s or Donald Trump’s beliefs lie. However, in order to be an informed voter, it’s important to reach out beyond one media source for information on a candidate.

A great source to look to would be the candidate’s campaign website (https://www.donaldjtrump.com/ or https://www.hillaryclinton.com) for information on them and their beliefs . On the other hand, while looking at trustworthy media sources is important, one may want to exercise caution when looking at the official websites for candidates, as it can be easy to be persuaded by political rhetoric. Other trustworthy sources that can be looked to for reliable facts are the New York Times and NPR.

But don’t only rely on articles or websites for information, either. Watch the debates and speeches, which can often give insight into a candidate’s personality. It’s also important to fact check statistics given by those running for office, which can often be incorrect or only tell one part of a story.

While the campaigning process and being up to date with reliable information is important, the most important thing is knowing that your voice matters.