Whether they've thrown a pie at a campaign volunteer or just been stalked repeatedly by clipboard-wielding students, nearly everyone in this town has made contact with the massive voter registration drive since the spring primaries.

If you aren't registered to vote by now, you can be commended for your superior evasion techniques. Beyond that, you need to register already before today ends -- or give up your right to cast a ballot on Nov. 4. Seriously, there's no reason not to unless you're a convicted felon.

Volunteers from both presidential campaigns and nonpartisan groups have been nagging students relentlessly, and for a good reason. The last thing college students need is to see politicians ignore us yet again because we aren't a major voting bloc.

While a registration form doesn't guarantee the person signing it will actually vote, it's clearing a huge hurdle that often stops students from casting ballots -- laziness. You don't even have to seek out a form or mail it in because the hordes on College Avenue are ready and waiting to do your bidding.

And on Election Day? Just bring an ID and a Sudoku to do in line, and fill in a couple of bubbles.

The most important part of fulfilling your civic duty, however, isn't so simple. Just like you wouldn't go into an exam without studying, you shouldn't enter the polling place without valuable information to guide your choices.

Information about the two presidential candidates and their running mates is everywhere -- and most easily accessible in a few primetime debates. A little research will let you know who is running to represent Centre County in Congress (Here's a hint: Republican Glenn Thompson vs. Democrat Mark McCracken) and the other positions up for grabs on your ballot. Just because they aren't basking in the spotlight doesn't mean their positions won't potentially impact your life.

For those of you tired of being harassed for intending to cast an absentee ballot, take comfort that the madness ends today. There's a lot of misinformation about what gets counted and what doesn't -- do the research if you're worried or simply call your local elections office. You owe it to yourself and your home district.

Lastly, when you find yourself hearing the familiar question as you make your way across campus today, push aside your annoyance and realize how awesome this registration drive has been. Voter registration so far in Centre County is at least 10,000 more than during the last presidential election, turning a traditionally Republican county blue. As young people tend to lean to the left, this means our college town is starting to realize how powerful its young population might be.

Now we just have to come out on Nov. 4 and prove it.