In the upcoming election, a significant amount of Americans have reported plans to vote for their third-party conscience over the lesser of two mainstream evils. In response, many shame these voters as selfish idealists whose wasted protest vote actually makes them complicit in electing the least desirable mainstream candidate. This kind of vote-shaming relies on misconceptions about our responsibilities as voters.

We live in a culture that shames us all the time. We’re too sexy, not sexy enough. We’re sell-outs. We’re impure. The truth is: Vote-shaming and slut-shaming are, alas, part of the same continuum.

Connecticut voters might well assume they are under Orwellian surveillance after the "vote-shaming" letters many have received in the last few days. The Democratic Party has sent some voters a "report card" telling them how often they have voted in recent elections.

Please. No more vote-shaming. Focus on the positive impacts of voting, not the reasons you're a horrible person if you don't.