As undergraduates at Washington University, we are plugged in to national politics in a variety of ways, including student publications, courses and various on-campus events. With the upcoming midterm election quickly approaching, it is important that we transfer this same level of enthusiasm to state and local politics.

Despite your busy schedules, it is important to prioritize voter registration for the most important midterms of all—the ones on Tuesday, Nov. 6. Registering for the upcoming elections is simpler than you’d think. Here’s some easy ways to get started:

1. Do your research. There are a variety of options to register to vote. Utilizing campus resources would be the best place to start. Websites such as WashU Votes, TurboVote, or the Gephardt Institute’s voter engagement page have plenty of information on registration, polling places and ID requirements.

2. Decide whether you’d like to vote in Missouri or in your home state. There are close Senate races in a number of states, including Missouri. Depending on your political party affiliation, check the close races in your home state and decide where you would like your vote to count. If you plan on voting in Missouri, act quickly! The voter registration deadline is Oct. 10.

3. If you do plan on voting in Missouri, here’s how: Because of the quickly approaching deadline, it’s probably too late to mail in your application. The good news is that you can register online! Once you complete the registration process, visit the Office of the Secretary of State of Missouri to check your voter registration and to find your polling place. If you won’t be able to make it to a voting location on election day, you can vote with an absentee ballot.

4. Participate in events both on- and off-campus related to voter engagement. Attend the “All in WashU” event sponsored by Student Union, the John C. Danforth Center for Religion and Politics and several other campus partners on Oct. 10 to meet the local politicians who represent Washington University students living on and around campus.

5. Stay engaged. Just because this isn’t a presidential election doesn’t mean we shouldn’t pay attention to what’s going on. Read up on candidates’ platforms and voting records. Decide what local and state issues are a priority for you.

6. Hold your friends and family accountable. Ask your roommates if they’re registered to vote for the upcoming midterm elections. Have conversations with friends and family back home about local and state-level issues on the ballot. Tune into livestreamed town halls and candidate interviews. Keep up with the news. Disregarding midterms is a mistake we cannot afford to make.

Voting in local and state elections is one of the best ways to influence national politics. According to the Washington Post, the 2014 midterm elections saw the lowest voter turnout in any election cycle in recent United States history. It is important that our generation doesn’t repeat past behaviors.