La Voz

Issue date: 11/6/06 Section: Opinion

Editorial board: Kayla Hilton, Matthew C. Egan and Dan Sealana

College students are used to cramming for exams. This week is no different. Voters go to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballot on everything from local city council members, to statewide propositions, to United States Congress.

You might expect this editorial board to take this opportunity and scream "vote, vote, everyone just go and vote!" However, if you don't know what it is you're voting for, unlike taking a multiple- choice exam, you shouldn't just take a chance and guess.

This is especially true for the California state propositions, many of which are accused of having harmful loopholes that render the good they may do useless. However, these accusations often come from special interest groups with a vested interest in raising doubt in the voter's mind. It's hard to know what to do for the average voter who doesn't have a political science degree or experience in law.

So it's time to cram. Learn whatever you can. Research online and find out whether these propositions stand up to the rosy or damning rhetoric that interest groups spew from both sides of the issue.

The average college student might still be questioning why he or she should vote in the first place.

If you're informed, you'll realize that these aren't just far-off distant concepts you're voting on. These are your roads, your safety or even your water.

That's exactly why you should be voting, especially on local and state elections. But if you genuinely feel uninformed about what or who you're voting for, then please don't bother.

Instead, microwave some popcorn, turn on your TiVo recording of "House" and do us all a favor by staying home.

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