Students have three days to register to vote in Delaware County.
If they don't, state representative Tiny Adams - or his opponent, Tom Bennington - will determine how much money the state gives the university with no student input.
Congressman Mike Pence - or one of his opponents - will debate Bush's war on terror without student opinions.
Students who registered to vote in their hometowns at age 18 do not have voting rights in Muncie. To be involved in the decision of leadership here, they must register again and switch their voting rights from home to Muncie.
Students should become involved in Muncie elections because Muncie and Delaware County leaders are the ones making decisions that will affect students' lives while attending Ball State.
"Certainly any legislator, or any elected official, recognizes their voting constituency, and if students don't recognize their right to vote, they become a silent voice. They (legislators) don't see young people as an enormous voting block," said Ball State's Tom Morrison, who works with state legislators on university issues.
Gray Crawley, assistant professor of political science, emphasized the need for students to visit the polls.
"I think if students voted, they would actually feel satisfaction," Crawley said. "Voting is almost a ritual. It's a part of democracy. You're fulfilling your civic duty and civic responsibility."
Many students don't see Muncie as their home, and therefore don't see any need to take interest in local elections.
But student votes affect local law enforcement, the funding of their university and other aspects of student life.
With that in mind, students should register in Delaware County and let their voices be heard.
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