The race for governor and midterm elections have created a media frenzy and brought to the forefront numerous issues. However, even amidst the many controversies and arguments, it is all too easy to look the other way. Almost all of us students are living busy lives, sometimes overwhelmingly so, as we try to pull good grades, maybe work a job on the side, and have a social life along with all this. It is much easier to not care, than it is to make the effort to get registered, get informed, and get to the polls. If we want the politicians to address our concerns, and answer our questions though, the young people of Madison must show up and vote.

Young people are too often disinterested in politics, as elected officials seem to only talk about issues that don't affect us, whether it be prescription drug prices or real estate taxes. This is because older citizens show up to the polls at two to three times the rate of young people. There are plenty of issues of great importance to students. The rising cost of tuition has led to a growing number of students leaving school with a hefty loan burden to repay. Environmental concerns go largely unaddressed. But politicians will continue to ignore these issues unless we show up at the polls in numbers that make them take notice.

Numerous campus organizations are working to register voters, on library mall, in the dorms, and all over campus. All you need is your license number if you are an in state resident, or the last four digits of your social security number if you are from out of state. It takes less than five minutes. If we each do our part, we can shake up the November elections. We can make the politicians pay attention.

David Kopishke
UW-Madison sophomore
WISPIRG, New Voters Project