Editor’s Note: With election day just two weeks away, the Daily is beginning this political page in an effort to educate students about the candidates running for political office.

We realize that many Iowa State students aren’t that interested in politics — either because they don’t understand or they simply don’t care.

For those of you who don’t understand: You are why we are adding a political page to the paper for the next two weeks. It is our job to inform you on the issues in government, no matter how interesting or boring they may be.

We plan to profile the candidates running for office from the national to the county races. Throughout the next two weeks, the Daily will report on candidates for president, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Iowa Senate and Iowa House of Representatives as well as several Story County races.

These profiles will focus on all the political parties, not just the Republicans and Democrats. Did you know that there are eight parties on the ballot for the president in the state of Iowa? In fact, one of the presidential candidates, John Hagelin of the Natural Law party, is from Iowa.

Also on the political page will be briefs summarizing candidate stances on certain issues important to students including financial aid, abortion, the environment, gay rights, job opportunities for college graduates and other topics. For example, today the Clinton-Gore and Harris-Garza campaigns are highlighted.

Not all the stories will be about the candidates. We want to project what the students think as well. You have a voice so that you can be heard.

The voice of the Iowa State community can most infactically be heard Wednesday, at a mock election sponsored by the Government of the Student Body and the Daily. Students can vote for their representatives and fill out a survey so we can find out more about what ISU students think about the political process. The election will be at a booth outside Parks Library from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For those of you who don’t care about politics, read our page anyway. It may spark your interest. Even if you think the government doesn’t affect you, you’re wrong. In your everyday lives, as you speed down Lincoln Way, pay taxes out of your paycheck or sign the promissory note to your student loans, governmental decisions affect you.

It affects your family — your grandparents on social security, your parents paying off their mortgage, your little brother or sister’s future, as well as your own.

If you aren’t registered to vote, do it before Saturday. If you are registered here, make sure you go to the polls on election day — Nov. 5. If you are registered at home, get an absentee ballot. But above all, read the political page.