Undecided voter?

Students can learn from groups on campus

Listen up, you undecided voters: Your days of fence-sitting must soon come to an end.

So, you're having a tough time deciding whom you'd like to call your next president. You've seen the debates; you've registered to vote. Maybe you even got the chance to see Al Gore or Ralph Nader while they were in Ann Arbor. You're familiar with this year's hot-button political issues, but you just aren't sure who will best represent your views. Maybe you think all the candidates are the same. Maybe you think your vote doesn't matter.

Your votes do count. According to the polls, the presidential race is so close in the state of Michigan that currently undecided voters wield all the power; you are going to determine who gets this state's electoral votes. And Election Day, November 7th, is approaching with lightning speed.

This leaves you with a very important decision to make, and very little time in which to make it. Over the course of the next week, it is up to you to become the most informed voter this state has ever seen. Fortunately for you, the Michigan Student Assembly has declared the week of October 23-27 Voter Education Week: A series of free activities designed to help you make the most of your votes this November.

And remember, there is more to be decided on this ballot than just the next commander-in-chief. In addition to a student debate between advocates for different presidential candidates, debates will be held between candidates for Ann Arbor Mayor, 53rd district State House Representative, and US House of Representatives. Discussion groups will also be held on issues such as social security and school vouchers.

The evening news loves to release studies that show how clueless our generation is about politics, that we don't care who our leaders are; it is up to us to prove them wrong. Even if you can't make it to the Voice Your Vote events, it is imperative to the future of this state and of this country that you educate yourselves about the issues. Many young people believe that by not voting in an election, they are making a worthwhile political statement: That nothing on the ballot is even worth their time. Resist the urge to join them; a democracy cannot function if its citizens refuse to participate.