The time has come again. It is election time. But this time we’re not electing who will run our nation. This week we are electing who will be the voice of the students next year.

Even though you may not care about the GSB, ISU’s student government affects your everyday life at the university. When you are in lecture and your professor uses an overhead projector, the equipment is part of media resources, which is funded by the GSB.

The GSB gets a portion of the student fees that everyone pays. They then allocate money to student groups and organizations. If you are a member of a student group, you should care how funding, or the lack thereof, affects your group’s activities.

Even if you aren’t in any student group or organization, you should care anyway. This is your money, too.

But what if you are graduating this semester and won’t be paying student fees next year? Why should you vote? Because ISU will be your alma mater. A group that you belonged to will need funding and you will want to elect students who support your group.

Most importantly, your vote counts. If you are unhappy with GSB, do something to change it. Vote for someone who will represent you. If you don’t like who is on the ballot, write in a candidate.

Traditionally, voter turnout for GSB elections isn’t very good. Last year only 1,669 students voted in the election. With nearly 25,000 students at ISU, the turnout was pathetic.

If the people you vote for aren’t elected, and you dislike the new people who will run the GSB, be glad that your vote didn’t elect them to office.

With clouds of controversy surrounding the GSB, most people aren’t content with student government at our campus. Everyone should go out to vote this week. Polls are open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the Memorial Union.

Basically, if you aren’t going to vote, don’t complain later about what the GSB is or isn’t doing for you. Have a voice in your future here at Iowa State — vote in the GSB election.