Thirteen students turned out to vote at the Union Drive Community Center, a precinct encompassing Friley, Helser, Martin and Eaton Halls and the Knoll — nearly 2,500 people. Attributing all 13 votes to students might not even be accurate, as two of the votes may have been cast by President and Mrs. Geoffroy.

Not to be outdone, a mere 12 students turned out to vote at the Maple-Willow-Larch commons, a precinct including Richardson Court residence halls and MWL.

When we met, this editorial started its life with a chastising mundane angle: “OMG, nobody voted, how embarrassing.”

As we discussed, however, we suddenly made a grave discovery: None of us had voted, either.

No joke, after countless editorials, news stories and weeks of coverage, we went, precisely, 0-for-4 at the polls.

So, now what? It’s not like we can blame anyone, so to the 25 people who voted: Thank you for taking the time to show that you care about your community’s future.

The sad truth is that, as students, we have fewer priorities than raccoons grasping for something shiny. Whatever is currently adding the most stress to our lives always, almost without fail, takes precedence over any and everything else. When you’re down to one meal per day, a mere four hours of sleep each night and exams pressing down on your skull like a steam roller, “stress” is a convenient excuse to use.

Is that such a bad thing? After all, our future hinges on making the most of these exorbitantly-priced four years. Despite countless reasons to forgo the polls, voting has it’s merits, and you know them, so we won’t bore you with the same old do-goody “civic duty” hoopla we’ve heard since before we were even legally allowed to vote.

The sad truth is that we can’t find it in ourselves to care about anything until it wrongs us in some way. This community is our home, temporary or not.

As our discussion continued, we learned that same-day registration in Ames is easy, and that legitimate roadblocks preventing students from voting don’t exist. Polling locations had short or no lines, the weather was decent and there were a large number of candidates to choose from.

We could, theoretically, run this town. Students residing in each ward could run for council, and because students outnumber Ames residents, those candidates could be easily elected. This method produces a council that represents students’ needs and wants accurately, but it requires colossal coordination and engagement on our part. We’d have to earn it.

If you love Iowa State, and if you love Ames, do some research and consider running for office. Resources exist, and, as a student, you’re staring nearly 30,000 supporters dead in the face.

If you don’t see local politics in your future, at least register to vote in Ames in time for the election next year.

You may vote for your roommate.