Walking around campus, you would never know elections were right around the corner. The ads are broadcast on local television, the issues are on the news, but there isn't any evidence of political activism at EvCC.

Last year everyone voted, a record high turnout of 85 percent in Washington State. It was the cool thing to do. People placed their votes via electronic polling, mailed-in ballots or the good ole' traditional way: the literal act of casting a vote. November election day celebrated the citizen's power and the binding of ties from a multitude of cultures and generations.

However, the time has come again. On November 3 we will cast our votes for two important issues that will change our state, and, most importantly, our communities.

It is a bit ironic but nonetheless expected that the issues that will affect us the most are the ones being ignored because they aren't given the proper attention on national news networks and popular websites. I am looking at two issues in particular: Referendum 71 and Initiative 1033.

Referendum 71 is an attempt to protect the rights of same-sex couples given to them by Washington State's domestic partnership law. If rejected, same-sex couples could lose up to 250 rights and protection placed upon them by the domestic partnership. These rights have also been applied to couples where one person is over age 62.

Initiative 1033, if passed, would cap state and local governments' spending in the future based on a yearly budget centered on inflation and population growth, a baseline for future expenditures in Washington communities. This could have drastic implications to Washington's funding for education, healthcare, public safety costs, and the environment.

When asked about R-71, EvCC student comments included: "I'm not gay, and neither are any of my friends or family, so it has no effect on me." "I honestly don't care either way," said another.

When asked about I-1033, one EvCC student commented, "that should be up to the government to decide, I don't get in to politics."

I'm not against government, but if we have a choice to decide how our state's budget will be managed, isn't that something to care about?

I suggest those who commented on R-71 to read up on the facts. Domestic Partnerships do not only apply to homosexuals, and that is an important note to make when deciding on the freedom of all people.

Think about your future. Don't make the mistake of stripping your own rights away.

I'm not telling anyone to vote either way, I'm telling you it's time to care. Look up the issues, decide for yourself, but realize what you are voting for and why you believe it.

A progressive political activist group called The Washington Bus is preparing for an event to get out the vote. Trick or Vote is a Halloween door-to-door exchange of activism for votes. Last year the group knocked on over 6,500 doors in Seattle's Georgetown neighborhood with over 300 participants. This is just one example of how simple actions such as knocking on doors can have such immediate and important impacts.

Both of these issues will affect our futures beyond college. The presidential election may have been last year's most important political event for our country, but this year's state election will be crucial to the future of our communities.

Washington's voter turnout is estimated at 51 percent this year. As a college we should be trying to pick up the slack, voting on the issues that really matter to our state. So get informed, and cast your vote this election day.