Today, ISU students will go out and cast their vote for their candidate of choice.

For many students, this is the first election they can vote in.

The Daily editorial board would like to encourage all ISU students to get out and exercise their right to vote.

It is not hip and cool to not vote. Young people will never be taken serious in the United States unless we become active and voice our opinions. We must show national and community leaders that young people can affect the outcome of an election.

Only then will they take us seriously.

Your vote today will stretch beyond this election.

By getting out and taking a part in the process, students will have more leverage when there is another cause to fight for, such as lowering tuition and taking back Veishea.

Showing that young people are a force is this country is also the only way to get our issues into the public and addressed by candidates.

Iowa is still a battleground state, and young people can change the outcome of the election.

In 1996, exactly 1,234,075 Iowans voted in the election, which is 71.5 percent of registered voters.

About 39 percent of registered voters ages 18 to 24 voted in 1996, whereas nearly all seniors voted.

Polling places are located on or near campus. Precinct polling places are listed on Page 12 of the Daily and are also available at http://www.storycounty.com/auditor/ pollingplaceLIST110700.htm.

So get out and vote today. If nothing else, exercise your right to complain about the president for the next four years.

Editorial Board: Carrie Tett, Greg Jerrett, Katie Goldsmith, Amie Van Overmeer, Andrea Hauser and Jocelyn Marcus