Are you happy now that you don’t have to deal with smoke when you go to restaurants or bars, or do you think this ban is overreaching? Do you think that the state should take action to define what marriage exactly is? Are you having trouble paying your student debt and finding a job here in Iowa?

These questions have been important ones that many of our state’s leaders have been asked. You most likely have been stopped on campus at least once to be asked if you have registered to vote. Motivated by the continual drama of our national election, many students have registered to vote to have a voice in choosing our nation’s next president.

This action is very responsible and important, but the state elections probably have just as large of an effect, if not more, on your current activities and your future dreams if you choose to stay in Iowa. Since many of you are registered to vote here in Ames, the next responsible action would be to inform yourself and others around you about the state elections.

The local Ames area has a greater vested interest in education than many of the other areas of the state, as the university and students look to the state for tax dollars that support institutional growth and decreases in student debt. The financial health of universities and student debt continue to be two of the Board of Regent’s main focuses. The decisions of our state house representatives and state senators have made significant effects on students. When huge numbers of students educate themselves and participate in these state elections, progress can continue to be made because those who represent us know our deepest concerns.

While these issues continue to be very relevant, there are many other social and economic issues that will be at hand, as well as multiple projects that could affect your area and future occupation. In the past two years, Iowa has made national news with issues of illegal immigration, gay marriage and biorenewable energy development. These matters are long-lasting, and will require state government action. One example of the lasting effects is this past year’s change in state policy on public smoking, which has greatly affected college students at bars and restaurants, as well as the rest of Iowa. Depending on your feelings on all of these issues, find out which candidate you agree with most, and give them your vote on Nov. 4.

For students who have registered to vote in Ames, the choice for the Iowa House will either be in the 45th or the 46th District. The race in the 45th is between two time incumbent and Democrat Beth Wessel-Kroeschell and Republican Ryan Rhodes. The 46th District race is between three-time incumbent and Democrat Lisa Heddens, and Libertarian Eric Cooper.

Your best resource for becoming informed about how the different candidates and their respective parties wish to tackle all the issues would be at the state party Web sites. These can be found at www.iowademocrats.org, www.iowagop.org and www.lpia.org.

You will have plenty of chances to register both on campus and even the day of the election. The next time you pass a voting booth, take a couple minutes to get registered and speak your voice for not only the nation, but for the state and local issues.

— Alyssa Staley is a junior in political science from Charter Oak, and director of ISU Ambassadors for GSB.