Earlier this summer, I went on a girls’ trip to a beach town. Hanging over a hotel balcony, visible from the beach, was a Trump 2024 flag. One friend commented on the flag saying, “I hate that.”

To which another friend responded, “I would hate that even if it was a Biden flag.” The first friend agreed saying, “That’s what I’m saying. Why can’t we all be Americans?”

I did not say much when listening to this exchange, but I have been thinking about it for weeks.

While I am not a Trump supporter, I did consider that one of the most American things one could do is engage in politics and the election ahead of us by supporting their candidate of choice and elevating the policies on which their preferred candidates run.

With the extremes of both parties in today’s political landscape, many Americans often feel reluctant to engage in today’s politics to avoid the conflict that political conversations bring – like my friends at the beach. Relatedly, with a plethora of media outlets online, on TV, and on the radio, it can be difficult to know which sources to trust. For many Americans, it is easier to disengage.

I write this column as a plea for those in the middle or to those who have lost interest in politics, to take seriously your role in our democratic society. On Nov. 5, the American people will elect a new president – a new commander in chief who has pertinent decisions to make on pending wars in Ukraine and Gaza, which will impact the United States’ international standing and the role that democracy plays on a global scale – just one example of the many important duties this position holds.

Bringing this a little closer to home, Bowling Green and Warren County will host elections for school board members, city commissioners, mayor, and Circuit Court clerk – all roles that directly impact the lives of the people in our community.

I also write this plea, knowing hope for an engaged voter base is not lost. Since Kamala Harris is the current de facto nominee for the Democratic party, young voter registration and engagement has increased, which leaves me optimistic for seeing young people invest in the state of our nation. On the right, momentum from the Republican National Convention has engaged voters with the announcement of J.D. Vance as the pick for vice president on the Republican ticket.

We are all busy. I get it. It can be difficult to stay informed and trust you’re making the right choice when speaking on politics or when going to the polls. However, our individual roles and the duties we have in democratic society impact our city, county, state, nation and globe. There is still time to research candidates, to speak on what is impacting you at home and how elected officials can work to support and protect you and your neighbors. Engaging in politics is exhausting, but it’s an American duty and right. Perhaps, the most patriotic thing you could do this year is research our local and national candidates and show up to vote.

I write this plea for political engagement for those disengaged. By the way, the Kentucky voter registration deadline for the 2024 General Election is Oct. 7, 4 p.m. local time.

– Amelia Kolb is the assistant director of Student Activities for Leadership and Volunteerism at Western Kentucky University.