Eckroate: If you need a friend, talk to an election registration volunteer

Take a minute and think back to freshman year of high school. As you walked to the bus with your…Take a minute and think back to freshman year of high school. As you walked to the bus with your clarinet tucked away in your backpack to hide your inner band geek, the images of those television shows about high school became real. You preferred to not have your head stuffed down that toilet in the last stall of the second floor bathroom. Being a freshman sucked.

Now, think of freshman year of college. Literally nobody cares what you’re doing or who you are, let alone your age. See, in college, everyone leaves everyone else alone. But there is one big man on campus targeting the freshmen. Actually, there are two.

Every year, during the last days of August and into early September, the College Democrats and College Republicans take to the streets of Oakland, working hard to get students — especially freshmen — to register to vote. Insert a sigh of relief here, that’s not so bad! This is a completely different situation than the bullies you avoided on your way to sixth period once upon a time.

It’s no secret that the success of an election relies heavily on the votes of the under-30 population; both sides are desperately vying for our votes as November draws nearer. For the incoming freshmen, this is the first chance that political activists have to reach out to you. As you’re cornered in Towers Lobby in the coming weeks, there are a few things you should consider before you become very interested in your iPod or realize that you are suddenly just so unbelievably busy with something in the complete opposite direction.

Registering to vote is a quick and easy process. You take the form, fill in a few boxes with your basic information, hand it to the volunteer and leave. Not sure how to write “Tower C” in the address box? Don’t worry. The registration volunteers will have a list of the addresses for the campus residence halls to make it painless. Whether you’re registering for the first time or changing your address to “Pittsburgh, Pa.,” the entire song and dance takes less time than catching an elevator in the Cathedral of Learning.

Voting is a cool, grown-up thing to do. You’re 18, you’re in college now and you’re picking the people who are running our country. This year is more important than most — it’s a presidential election year. By registering to vote, you can pick the person you want to be the President of the United States of America for the next four years. I’m sure there are some nifty T-shirts, stickers and other flashy swag for you to advertise your elite status as a voter, as well. You will feel scholarly, as your choice for the best candidate is surely the correct one. You will feel important when you press the flashing “vote” button with your index finger, solidifying your choice for the election. You will feel American.

Simply put, we are the age group most affected by the decisions of our elected officials because we are going to be around to see the outcome of the selected administration’s decisions. The bills that are proposed and passed in Washington are important to our generation in that — whether you want a particular law or not — we will see it in action, whereas our grandparents’ generation may not. Though the senior citizen population is notoriously the most likely to vote, the issues will stay with us, logically speaking, for much longer. You, at 18, have the right and the power to let your voice be heard on policies that matter to you by voting.

And even if your party or candidate doesn’t win, wouldn’t you rather be able to say that you voted against something instead of pinning the hundredth perfect bouquet of flowers to your “Dream Wedding

The groups of students asking you to register to vote may seem intimidating, or even annoying, but don’t you feel kind of popular? The Democrats want you. So do the Republicans. You could check the “Independent” box if you don’t have a favorite or a preference. As a citizen of the U.S. and as a new or lifelong resident of Pennsylvania, you’re wanted. Exercise the right that people have fought for on U.S. soil — the right that others continue to fight for elsewhere. It’s a powerful move. Do not hide from the registration “bullies,” no matter how persistent they may be. They’re doing something good.

Email Claire at cve3@pitt.edu. For voter registration information, visit votespa.com. The registration deadline is Oct. 9.