Ruth Enloe has filled out her own fair share of presidential election ballots — 14 to be exact. On Nov. 7, the 80-year-old part-time Sacramento State student will cast her vote for the fifteenth time, and she couldn’t be more excited. –

“Some say it doesn’t do any good,” Enloe said. “But I don’t care. I do it anyway.”Nineteen-year-old Erin Stutz will participate in her first election this year. She said that at first, she wasn’t excited about casting her vote, but in recent days, her opinion has changed.-

“I thought I wouldn’t make a difference, but now I think I will,” Stutz said. “I’m going to feel good about voting because I have voiced my opinion and I will somehow affect the outcome.”-

With Election Day less than a month away, conversations on campus have turned from trivial topics to the California propositions, the candidates for presidency and of course, voting.-

“It’s very important,” said Lucy Wong, 21. “It’s our responsibility as citizens to vote, and if you don’t vote, then you don’t have the right to complain.”-

Whether in favor of President George W. Bush or Democratic candidate Sen. John Kerry, students on campus seem to share the same opinion on the importance of voting. Nationwide, however, college-age students represent the lowest voter turnout age.-

According to the United States Census Bureau, only 19.3 percent of Americans between the ages of 18-24 cast ballots in the 2002 non-presidential election. Though the bureau reports that voter turnout has improved in recent years, young people continue to be the least represented group at the polls. –

Americans between the ages of 65-74 are the most represented group, with 65.1 percent at the polls in 2002. –

“People our age get disenfranchised because they don’t think presidential candidates will do anything for them,” said Cameron Lloyd, 22. “That’s true because not enough people our age vote. As the youngest voters, we will be the ones feeling the effect of the policies for the longest time.”-

Michael Muth, 22, said he doesn’t notice the differences between the Democratic and Republican parties, but that will not stop him from voting.”If you don’t make the choice, then somebody else will,” Muth said.-

For the many people who procrastinate, there is still plenty of time to register to vote in the upcoming election. Oct. 18 is the voter registration deadline and those with busy schedules can register for an absentee ballot, either by mail or online, between Oct. 4 and Oct. 26. Whether an absentee voter or not, most polling centers are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.-

“There is no excuse to not vote,” said Rina Harbison, 24, an absentee voter.In addition to the presidential decision, California voters will be voicing their opinions on 16 propositions. Also on the ballot will be measures affecting schools, growth and other issues specific to cities and counties throughout California. –

Amanda Misetich, 18, said she is excited about voting for the first time. She hopes that now she will be able to become more involved with political groups and gain important knowledge on current issues.-

“I don’t think we are exposed to what is going on in the world as much as we need to be,” Misetich said.-

For more information visit the Web site www.myvotecounts.org.-