Angel: Don't shirk your voting responsibility

There is a lot of noise surrounding the 2016 election season. The contentious race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump at the top of the ballot has dominated the headlines, but there is so much more to the general election than who will be the next president of the United States.

That's why the Lansing State Journal is joining with the USA TODAY NETWORK in the #VotingBecause initiative, which is focused on the importance of voting.

The ballot box can be the great equalizer if every eligible voter heads to the polls. Every person wields the same power — a single vote. But if eligible voters fail to register before Oct. 11 or fail to go to the polls on Nov. 8, they are giving up their power, ceding their right to help shape the future of our cities, states and nation.

I'm not sure I can narrow my reasons for voting into a one postcard statement.

I'm #VotingBecause:

My parents taught me voting was a civic responsibility as well as a privilege.

I pay taxes and want to have a say in how they are spent.

Policies relating to education, justice and health care affect me and those I love.

This list goes on, but I won't bore you. You have your own reasons for voting. We want to know what those are.

Tuesday is National Voter Registration Day. Why not use it as an opportunity to join us in the #VotingBecause campaign. Step 1: Make sure YOU are registered to vote. Step 2: Go to VotingBecause.com and share your reason for voting, Step. 3: Encourage everyone you know to register and to cast their ballots in November.

This election is too important to sit out. Use the power you have — and vote.

Stephanie Angel is the executive editor. Contact her at (517) 377-1017 or sangel@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @stephanieangel.