When you watch the polls, the Democratic presidential nomination feels like it’s already over. Hillary Clinton is ahead by a huge margin, her rivals are largely ignored in the news and talk is turning toward the hot mess that is the Republican primary.

But just because Clinton is the favorite, voters shouldn’t give up on the Democratic primary. Conventional wisdom says that with her experience in the State Department and Senate, fundraising skills and political savviness, she’ll secure the nomination.

As cracks in the Clinton campaign’s image inevitably appear over time, voters can create real change of the content of her platform through the primary system. It’s a valuable opportunity that shouldn’t be ignored.

Of all the Democratic candidates, Clinton is the most “electable” — industry jargon for a wide, politically moderate popular appeal that could translate into victory. Clinton wants to keep that title because it’s one of her most valuable assets in the primary. It makes her the logical, almost inevitable choice. And she wants it to stay that way.

That doesn’t mean that she won’t have to take hard stances on important issues. As a political insider, the onus is on her to demonstrate her commitment to substantive reform and progress rather than complacency. If her campaign sees continued support for other candidates in May and June 2016, Clinton will have to address the issues — both in the platform and in her campaign – that those votes symbolize in order to secure her base by Nov. 8, 2016.

So, as Oregon’s Democrats gear up for the primary in May of next year, they should consider the other candidates in the field. Even if they can’t win the nomination, they’ll put pressure on Clinton to incorporate their ideas into her campaign. Economic fairness, climate change, campaign finance reform and government surveillance should be front and center during the general election, and this is the best way put them there.

Because Clinton has the reputation and experience to backup such a decision, she can adopt new planks into her platform without serious fear of being seen as weak on the issues. It’ll be good for the party and for the country.

As you consider whether to vote next spring, look at the other Democrats who might have a chance at shaping the national discussion. Each has established a specific policy focus of their own — giving voters an easy opportunity to signal their interests to the front-runner.

For Jim Webb, it’s national security; for Lincoln Chafee, it’s increased investment in bedrock programs like infrastructure and education; for Martin O’Malley, it’s criminal justice reform; and for Bernie Sanders, of course, it’s income inequality.

Whether these candidates become a part of Clinton’s administration or she simply has to talk about what they’re talking about, supporting them is an important use of your time. A vote for them — no matter how late in the process — will be heard by the Clinton campaign’s teams of political analysts or discontented superdelegates.

That is, assuming Clinton is the candidate. Remember, primaries can be unpredictable contests. Despite the power of his campaign, then-Senator Barack Obama didn’t break 30 percent in the national polls until January 2008. Clinton led Obama in the delegate count until mid-February, and the two were still locked in a bitter fight after Super Tuesday in March. Our primary system may not be perfect, but it always manages to keep things interesting.