Could voting BE any easier? If voting becomes any more convenient, all we will have to do come election day is sit up in bed and check off who we want in office.

There really aren’t many excuses left for not voting — especially with a new satellite voting system that is being implemented in Ames’ Hy-Vee locations as well as the Memorial Union.

Satellite voting is similar to absentee voting, except that it’s located in places where people commonly frequent.

People who live in any town in Story County can vote at these stations, and they don’t even have to wait until Nov. 2 to do so.

Voting is more convenient for all of us — so why don’t more students do it?

Not voting is a choice that, unfortunately, many students make.

• Judy Emmons, Story County auditor, said in the last city election and in the largely student-dominated precincts, only 72 people in the 25 and younger age bracket voted.

Also, according to Daily archives, only 7.61 percent of precinct 4-5, which is most of the Richardson Court Association, excluding M-W-L, voted in last year’s gubernatorial election.

• In last year’s Government of the Student Body election, only 6 percent of ISU students showed up to vote for elected officials who decide critical matters such as whether there will be a Veishea celebration.

These are embarrassing statistics.

Time management can’t be an excuse for not voting anymore — just fill out a ballot when you’re picking up some milk or shampoo, or if you’re on your way to the Union to bowl or catch a lecture.

Don’t say there isn’t any time to make your vote count — for the most part, ISU students are very active and involved — except when it comes to choosing their representatives.

Take a moment out of your day to become educated about the issues that affect you and fellow students.

It’s a clich‚, but those who don’t vote shouldn’t be able to complain.

And if you simply don’t care about any of the issues, then that’s a bigger problem. It’s a chance for you to voice your opinions on whether you would rather have your tax money spent on the arts or law enforcement.

The upcoming presidential election will be one of the most important in recent years. Let’s face it, learning about local issues right now will give you a head start for the 2000 election.

So get an early start. Read about the issues, and don’t say you don’t have time. If you can surf the net for the latest celebrity gossip, you can learn what a candidate’s platform is. Pick up a newspaper and learn what’s going on in your community.

And whatever you do — vote. Your excuses are running out.

Iowa State Daily Editorial Board: Sara Ziegler, Greg Jerrett, Kate Kompas and Carrie Tett.