It is a well known fact that the majority of people our age don't vote. I am twenty-one years old and have never voted. I am going to change that with the upcoming election.

To those of you like me who haven't voted, I know where you're coming from. Too many rich white people in suits, lack of political choices, you feel your vote doesn't matter, or perhaps you simply don't care.

It's time to start caring. There are many reasons why. Here are 3 examples of important issues that will impact you.

• Money. College tuition keeps going up. Last October the College Board announced that the cost of attending a public college increased 9.8%, the largest annual increase in thirty years. Young adults will have to bear these costs in increasing proportions as the U.S. Department of Education estimates that college attendance of 18-24 year olds will increase 15% by 2012 while tax dollars spent for education keep decreasing.

• Draft. With the war in Iraq there has been a lot of talk about reinstituting the draft. S.89 (Senate version of legislation) recommends that "every person residing in the United States who is between the ages of 18 and 26 to perform a period of national service." How do you feel about serving in the military?

• Marriage. In the county where I live, all marriages are off. Because of the debate over same-sex marriages the county stopped issuing all marriage licenses. Not that I'm planning on tying the knot any time soon, but I couldn't even if I wanted to.

Regardless of your position on any of these issues, they all affect us and we aren't making our voice heard. In the 2000 election only 51 percent of 18-24 year olds were registered to vote. Only 36.1 percent of 18-24 year olds actually voted (U.S Census 2000). However, in the 65-74 demographic, 72 percent voted. For every young adult who voted two people of retirement age voted.

Frankly, I don't want my parents or grandparents determining who (or if) I can marry, how much money I spend for school, or whether or not I will go to war and here lies the beauty of the United States. We have a say in the outcome.

I strongly encourage you to go out and do the same as I plan to do: vote.

Go out, vote and let your voice be heard.