Yesterday, James wrote an interesting post about Run to Vote, a really cool project that combines athletics with voter registration. A group of students and teachers from Stem, North Carolina spent the summer traveling through the 48 contiguous United States campaigning, not for any political party or candidate, but for simply voting. Every time Run to Vote got a citizen to register as a voter or pledge to vote in the next election, someone from the group would run a quarter-mile.

I love this idea. It's simple, it's effective and it shows that a small group of people can really be a force for change. If someone is willing to run a lap to get me to vote, I can certainly consider getting off my lazy butt to get to the polls.

I know there are still a lot of people in my age group who don't vote, but I have hope that this is changing. In the 2004 election, 47 percent of voters ages 18-24 voted, compared to 66 percent of voters ages 25 and up, an 11 percent increase from 2000. If this trend continues, twenty-something voters could wield a lot of political clout. We've got a few months until the November election-- there is still time to register to vote! Here are just a few reasons you should take a cue from the folks at Run to Vote:

1. It's our right to vote (not everyone in the world can say that).
It may sound cheesy, but we are lucky to live in a democracy where we're allowed to vote for our government officials. Everyone 18 and up, regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation, is entitled to a vote, and it's insane not to take advantage of that right. 

2. You can't complain if you don't vote.
Well, technically you can, but I will taunt you mercilessly. It's one thing to whine about the president or the the Senate or even the city council if you voted. It's quite another to complain about the government if you couldn't even bother to throw in your two cents at the polls. It's a simple equation-- when you vote, you earn the right to gripe.

3. Young voters have to represent.
Honestly, I'm sick and tired of hearing that our generation is apathetic and too self-involved to care about politics. It's just not true, and we need to change that mentality. Fine, we spend too much time on Facebook, but it's all for the greater good.

4. We should choose who makes decisions for our country.
From No Child Left Behind to Roe v. Wade, the elected officials in our country have a big say in how we live our day-to-day lives. We all have issues that are near and dear to us, and it's important to elect people who will uphold our beliefs and values. I mean, I know the presidential candidate I'm pulling for in November.

5. It doesn't take that much effort to make a difference.
If you're not registered, do it now. It only takes a couple minutes, and you won't feel left out on November 4 when everyone else is wearing those little "I Voted" stickers.

Register to vote today.
Check out Run to Vote for inspiration.