As an East Lansing City Council candidate for the upcoming August primary and a MSU student, I want to let everyone know your vote does count and it is very important. City council elections typically have a very low turnout, and a majority of the voters are nonstudents.

As a student in the community, your vote is important to elect those candidates who will represent your needs.

Typically students in East Lansing do not feel their voice is being heard and the council does not value the student population. This is why it is important to get out and vote.

Let your voice be heard in the city when you have the chance, rather than waiting until it is too late. Your opinions, concerns and problems are important to our city, and it is my goal to fully represent the student population.

This August there is a chance that nine or more people will be running for the two available seats, and only two of us are students at this point. My main message to you, the student body of MSU, is that our votes do count and they are very influential in a low-turnout election.

The reason I am writing this so far in advance is that many of you will be out of town for the summer during the Aug. 7 primary election. For those of you who are currently registered to vote in East Lansing, but will be out of town for the summer, I encourage you to request an absentee ballot so you can voice your opinion later this summer.

To do so, send a letter with your voter information to the East Lansing city clerk requesting an absentee ballot. For those of you who are currently registered to vote back home, I encourage you to change your registration and vote here.

Many of us spend nine months or more in the community but do not vote here. You can register at the clerk’s office or with the Secretary of State, then request your absentee ballot.

I hope many of you will vote this August and let your voice be heard. Your vote does count. You are an important part of the community during your time at this university.

Please take advantage of this opportunity to elect those you feel will best represent your needs.

Matthew Mitroka
geography senior