You know it must be an election year when the front page of the Amherst College Web site reminds you to register to vote. The fact is that many college students do not vote; they don't even get around to registering. While we all realize the importance of voting, the actual process seems to require so much effort that it often gets buried under the more pleasant aspects of fall. Students casually walk by voter registration tables set up by College political organizations that would make voting a matter of simply filling in a few lines.

However, the election this year is being hailed as one of the most important-and potentially one of the closest-ever. Student votes have the potential to swing the election. An article in the Sept. 13 edition of The New York TImes (Absentee Ballots Worry Officials as Nov. 2 Nears) noted the increasing number of people requesting absentee ballots without having a legitimate reason not to be at the polling booth on election day. The article added that absentee voting is more susceptible to fraud than is voting at the polls, partly because states have failed to institute appropriate safeguards to deal with the issue.

While this may be a widespread problem, college students are not the target of this type of criticism. We do have legitimate reasons for using absentee ballots, and we should take advantage of the opportunity.

Students should register to vote in their home states, and not only because we go to school in a state that is a Democratic lock. While the presidential race overshadows elections every four years, it is important to remember that there are crucial congressional and local races being fought as well, and it is these races that make voting in your home state imperative. You are familiar with the needs of your state, and the outcomes of these elections are more likely to affect you.

Obtaining an absentee ballot isn't the hard part; everyone knows how to Google "absentee ballot" or find their home state's election board Web site. Actually doing so before election day just requires planning ahead. Becoming familiar with the issues, and the candidates, of your home state is what takes the effort. Given what is at stake, however, we think it's worth your time. Every vote will count this year, and if you don't believe that, just think back to the 2000 election.