The Government of the Student Body has finally taken a realistic step toward addressing the number one complaint amongst students at Iowa State — that students have absolutely no power. No power to affect local laws and ordinances which dictate much of their lives in Ames. No power to effectively advocate on their own behalf matters such as state budget appropriations to the Regent Schools and its impact on tuition. No power to hold the university they attend accountable for making decisions favoring individuals who either never attended or no longer attend Iowa State at the expense of those who do.

This year the Government of the Student Body has taken the bull by the horns and is working to deliver change to students. Unfortunately, all the hard work done on behalf of students by their GSB senators will amount to very little unless the student body wakes up and realizes a thing or two about what the real problems are.

Be it the university administration favoring donors over students, the City Council favoring residents over students or the state Legislature favoring other interests over students, it all stems from the same issue: Students don’t vote.

Do not for one minute be fooled into thinking that your votes can’t change the political landscape. No elected official in Story County could get elected if you voted and didn’t vote for them. No state Senator or Representative in this district could, either. Iowa’s seven electoral votes went to the presidential candidate who won the popular vote here by all of 4,144 votes, total. If you really want something done, believe me when I tell you all you have to do is get off your butts and vote on Nov. 4.

GSB has finally taken the steps to make this a reality. You don’t have to volunteer your time (though you should), and no one is asking you for a penny. Simply fill out the voter registration form and absentee ballot request form, and the County Auditor will mail you a ballot. You don’t even have to leave the house to do this! If you fill it out and take it to the Memorial Union, they will and they will even deliver it for you.

Now is the time for you to do something to make a change. Otherwise, you should make sure to never again complain about anything on this campus.

Shawn Carter

Alumnus