Today’s the day, folks.

After months of campaigning, candidates for office are turning their work over to voters for their stamp of approval and a ticket to office.

Here in Ames, several important elections are taking place today, two of which will directly affect Iowa State students.

First, two candidates are seeking to fill the Iowa House of Representatives spot vacated by Cecelia Burnett. District 61 covers a good chunk of Ames — most everything north of Lincoln Way — and a good chunk of students.

In case you haven’t heard, the candidates in the District 61 election are Republican Dick Woods and Democrat Jane Griemann. The two have been pounding the pavement of Ames for the past few months, but in case you missed them at your doorsteps, here’s a quick run-down.

Woods believes in improving education by raising teacher salaries, renovating classrooms and extending tuition grants to graduate students.

If elected, Woods wants to cut back state gambling and maintain control of Iowa hoglots on the local level.

Greimann also believes in increasing teacher salaries. Additionally, she wants to improve voter turnout in Iowa.

If elected, Greimann wants to keep water supplies clean and increase money for childcare to working families.

Both candidates have similar messages and would do an admirable job representing Ames.

But based on the attention each candidate has focused on ISU students, the Daily supports Jane Greimann for District 61. Greimann has constantly appealed to the ISU community, and we believe she will continue to remember her student constituents if she is elected.

Now, on to Ames City Council.

There are four candidates running today for three council spots.

Herman Quirmbach, incumbent in Ward 4, and Steve Goodhue, running for Ward 2, are both unopposed in the election. Judie Hoffman and Starlene Rankin are running against each other for the at-large seat.

Hoffman wants to manage urban growth and add recreational facilities, along with expanding the bike path system.

Rankin believes in further developing the local economy, increasing funding to the arts and increasing environmental awareness. She also wants to add recreational facilities, including bike paths and a skateboard park.

Both Hoffman and Rankin are concerned about students, and they would both represent students well. But our vote is with Hoffman, who has served three terms and has already proven she will look out for students’ welfare.

Now, we understand that many of you students aren’t registered to vote in Ames and don’t think issues here are important to you. But you’re wrong. Local decisions that are made on the Ames City Council do affect you, and if you’re from anywhere in this state, you should know that the state Legislature does a lot that concerns you.

So, if you’re registered, get out to the polling place near you today, and fill out your ballot.

And if you’re not, start thinking about next year.