Students aren't usually very well represented by our elected leaders. We don't have a lot of money or a lot of time, which often makes it tough for us to get involved in the political process.

But there are a lot of us. And when Election Day rolls around, our numbers can give us real political power.

The Student Vote Coalition is a non-partisan, statewide group of concerned students and organizations. By registering students and encouraging them to vote, we build political power for students and young people on our campuses and around the state.

And when we work together, we can win real victories. The Student Vote Coalition registered a record 33,617 students to vote in Oregon in 2004; the following legislative session, legislators increased funding for need-based aid, and scaled back tuition increases statewide.

In Oregon, state legislative elections are decided by hundreds of votes. Ballot measures succeed or fail by less than a thousand. When students register and vote, we have the power to change politics in Oregon.

The voter registration deadline is October 17th; be sure to register and vote!