Is it mandatory to offset short term losses against long term gains?

Let's say I have $10,000 in short term losses and $10,000 in long term capital gain but no short term gain or long term loss for the year. Is it mandatory to offset short term loss with long term gain.

Can I carry over short term loss to futures year expecting to have short term gains in future years? (This is based on assumption that short term gain taxed at 35% and long term gain taxed at 15%)

Can some one point me in right direction?
 
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