It has to be said.

Students obviously don’t care too much about what is going on.

There is a special election in November and nobody cares.

I’ll admit that this election by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger doesn’t make sense at all, considering it’s costing the state millions of dollars,an unneccessary expenditure, to hold an election a year before it is due.

It may seem pointless, but students, just like any other adults, have the right to have their voice heard.

In fact, the governor is counting on as little people as possible voting, so that his propositions have a better chance at passing.

Remember that little thing called the United States Constitution that everyone learned about in history class?

Do you remember which amendment gives an 18-year-old the right to vote?

If the answer is no, that’s a shame!

For those who don’t remember, the 26th amendment states, “The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of age.”

Yet, !8 to 34 year olds seem to think that there is no reason, whatsoever, to go out and vote.

Recently I had the opportunity to listen to a speech by Norwalk City Councilman Rick Ramirez and he said that the city was looking for poll workers to help in the upcoming elections.

To say the least it seemed to me that the minuscule group present, 13 in number, seemed interested in helping out.

I look back at it now, and ask, “Were they really interested in helping to get the word out to residents in Norwalk or were they just trying to look good in front of the councilman?”

It is all well and good when students want to encourage others to vote.

I love when I hear excuses like, “I don’t have time!” or “What for?”

Yet, this one’s really gets me, “Vote? Sure, I’ll vote when Gov. Schwarzenegger makes like a tree and leaves.”

I have taken advantage of my right to vote.

Not voting is another sign of apathy like not reading a newspaper.

All of the propositions: 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 79, and 80 will pass, or not, whether you do or do not vote.

But they will affect all of us and if you don’t vote then you have no say.

Not voting is being powerless. I remember when I first took a history class. My instructor encouraged every student to vote.

I was only 12 years old at the time.

Until this day, I still remember.

I took time to read what was going on with education, the state budget, senators, and it is sad that something as important as this election has been lost.

The value of the right to vote has been lost.

This is our chance to go out and do something to make our community better.

If you are not willing to do so, than the United States might as well put Saddam Hussein in power and the people will have no rights at all.