This post, submitted by TNG Editorial Assistant Corey, is part of a series of political countdowns through November 5th.

Tomorrow, almost as many people will vote as who watched the finales of “Friends” and “M*A*S*H” combined (sad, isn’t it?). Everyone will have a different reason for voting, and while many of these will involve secret religious beliefs of candidates, who is really a communist, and who won the coveted bat boy endorsement, there are some pretty good ones, too.

After the jump I’ll count down ten big reasons to vote. Whatever your reason, make sure you get out tomorrow and BaRock the Vote… or McCain the Vote (that one doesn’t work)… or Barr the Vote (now it sounds like I’m banning voting. I’m gonna stop.) Check out my list and then let TNG know why you’re voting.

10. Vote for Ben
Even if you’re the type of person who thinks all politicians are a bunch of crooks, and doesn’t really care who wins, don’t sit on the sidelines. Vote for Barr, or McKinney, or Nader. Or vote for TNG’s own Ben Carver – Natty Boom ticket, because in addition to their platform being awesome, it’d be pretty sick to paint the White House hott and queer, no?

9. Vote for Lives
Are you for increased funding to prevent and treat AIDS? For stopping wars? Are you pro-life to save fetuses, or pro-choice to protect women? Whatever your beliefs, chances are that lives are at stake tomorrow. Vote to protect them.

8. Vote for the Courts
Speaking of reproductive rights for women… The women and men we elect will shape our courts system, which matters a hell of a lot. Soon the Iowa Supreme Court may universalize marriage rights in that state; aren’t you glad that five of their seven justices were appointed under a liberal governor?

7. Vote for Your Right to Bitch
It’s true, freedom of speech is for everyone, whether or not you vote. But prepare to be socially ostracized if you sit out this election and proceed to bitch to your friends about ANY ISSUE in the next four years.

6. Vote for Down-Ballot Issues
There’s a lot more going on than a presidential race. House and Senate elections will determine what the next president gets done. Below that, though all politics is local, it’s all big-picture, too. Consider that with the changing of a few state senate seats in New York, that state may soon legislate some kind of civil union / gay marriage bill for its citizens. In California, marriage is at stake by way of referendum. Even a race for, say, secretary of state can be crucially important… Florida, anyone?

5. Vote for the First African-American President
America has a long ways to go in racially equality, but this is a huge step. A 109-year-old woman whose father was a slave just voted for Barack Obama in Texas, and if that isn’t amazing, I don’t know what is.

5. b. Vote for the First Female Vice President
Sure, she may not be of my political leanings, and I tend to think that she’ll be a huge set back for any feminist agenda. But if you feel differently, go for it, and get pumped.

4. Vote for the World
Ever hear something that makes you get so pissed about American politics that you say, “I don’t even CARE who’s president, maybe America deserves to be run by an idiot” ? Well, consider this: there are a lot of people in the world who are affected by who America elects; about a half million dead Iraqis come to mind for me. If you don’t want to vote for America, vote for the world, for those who don’t have a say in our elections but will face the consequences.

3. Vote for Your Vote
In the same election cycle that has seen this ACORN nonsense, voters have also seen their rights threatened in Colorado, Michigan, Ohio, Georgia, and elsewhere, all of which ended in at least somewhat of a victory for the folks who had been barred from voting. (Funny how in each case, allowing more people to vote was considered a loss for the GOP… hmm…) Anyway, electing leaders who won’t cut off your voting rights in the future seems like a damn good idea.

2. Vote for Equality
No matter who wins the White House, it won’t happen in the next four years; even Ben and Natty would have a hard time getting some of their legislation through congress. But we can set this country up to inch closer and closer towards recognizing the equality of all people, be they L, G, B, T, Q, the other Q, hetero (H), asexual (…A?) or Zac Efron.

1. Vote for Whatever the Frig You Want…
… just freaking do it.