Your vote this year matters a great deal in shaping a more progressive future for yourself, your neighbors and future generations. Millennials now match Baby Boomers in their share of the electorate. I hope that as a voting bloc, this generation decides to express its desires for the future of our country by exercising its opportunity to vote.

You have the ability this November to truly make a difference by voting for candidates who have spent their careers in public service fighting to move our country forward — Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Russ Feingold for Senate. Helping Feingold win back his Senate seat will help Democrats win back the majority, giving Clinton greater leverage and continuing the progressive direction we have enjoyed throughout the Obama administration.

For those who are upset by the choice between major presidential candidates, remember the importance of Supreme Court nominations.

For those who suggest their vote doesn’t count, remember that George W. Bush was declared president as a result of only 537 votes out of almost 6 million votes cast in Florida

For over 25 years, the votes cast by Madison residents have helped ensure that the state of Wisconsin voted to move our country forward in presidential elections. I anticipate this election year will continue that legacy, and I hope you will take the opportunity to vote in this historic election.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8, but you can also vote now. You can register to vote at your polling station on Election Day, and you must present a voter ID. You can get a valid voter ID at Union South. Learn more at vote.wisc.edu. To find your polling place or find out what documents to bring for registering to vote or presenting ID, please visit myvote.wi.gov.

Sen. Fred Risser is a Wisconsin State Senator for the 26th district.