Just a reminder: You have one week left.

Oct. 11 is the last day to register to vote and change your address to East Lansing before the City Council election in November. Students should vote for council members to represent the large population of students on important local issues.

Although this isn't as crucial as a presidential or state election, students are affected by local government laws and policies more prevalently.

The East Lansing City Council is made up of mostly older city residents. In a town with a large student population, there aren't many council members who can relate to their constituency.

A lot of the grievances students have with East Lansing are addressed by the City Council and can be changed depending on the candidates elected.

Major changes on the East Village project are approved by the City Council. The East Village is comprised mostly of students (in the Cedar Village area) and many feel the master plans to renovate the area do not reflect the wishes of the people living there. This is a chance for students to deter plans that they don't want approved.

Relations between students and residents are strained. Although this is a college town, residents are unhappy with the behavior of students in many neighborhood areas. The April 2-3 disturbances have also increased the separation as students claim they were victimized and residents remain unsympathetic. For the sake of future harmony, students need to be represented on the East Lansing City Council.

A number of other issues, such as parking, law enforcement and parties are influenced or changed by the council.

There are two open positions on the City Council. The candidates running include two incumbents, Vic Loomis and Bill Sharp, and two challengers, Kevin Beard and John Fournier. Information about the four candidates can be found at www.votesmart.msu.edu.

To be eligible to vote in the City Council election, voters need to be 18 years or older, a citizen of the United States, not serving in jail or prison and a resident of East Lansing.

People can register to vote or change their voter registration online through www.youvote.msu.edu or www.cityofeastlansing.com. They can also register or change registration information by mail or in person at East Lansing's Secretary of State office, 400 Albert Ave., Suite C.

Changing addresses to vote in a city where students spend an average of four years living and working isn't a waste of time. It takes a few minutes to register in East Lansing and many decisions might affect students for years to come.

Four years is a long time for two council members to misrepresent the student population. All eligible students need to take an interest and vote.