It has been said that college- age people are notoriously apathetic about voting. Eighteen to 24-year-olds are the smallest percentage to vote in both local and national elections, year after year.

But even if it is difficult to get motivated about national elections, students at Penn State should feel motivated to vote in today's Undergraduate Student Government (USG) elections.

If you were unsatisfied with this year's leadership and feel USG is an ineffective and overly exclusive organization, cast your vote for the candidates you think can change things.

If you felt the current administration was successful in representing students, vote to continue the trend.

Before you choose candidates, make sure they support the same things you support, whether it be publicized teacher evaluations, reinstatement of medical excuse forms or more weekend festivities.

Also, make sure the candidates you choose for USG president and vice president are two people you want to represent you and your university, especially when they travel to Harrisburg to speak to legislators and fight for the university's appropriations.

With only a week and a half to campaign, candidates have had a difficult time getting their platforms out and reaching all students.

Those who missed the debates or haven't met any of the candidates can educate themselves by visiting the campaigns' Web sites. Links to these sites are accessible at www.vote.psu.edu.

Also, students can read The Daily Collegian's election guide in yesterday's paper or online to get a synopsis of the candidates, their history and their platforms. Voters should read this page to evaluate candidates' goals and qualifications, then vote for those who will best represent them.

Today's elections also give students the opportunity to choose representatives for the University Park Allocation Committee (which distributes the Student Activity Fee funds) and the Association of Residence Hall Students (which represents students who live in dorms).

Students can vote online at www.vote.psu.edu from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., or in 129 AB HUB-Robeson Center from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Get involved, and get out and vote.