Several state and local representatives will speak in Edison Courtyard as a part of the “All in WashU” event to promote voter registration and civic engagement Oct. 10, the last day to register to vote in the state of Missouri.

If you’re lucky, or a well-organized person, you’ll have a nice distribution of essays, exams and presentations that don’t fall on the same day, and you will probably prepare in advance in order to reduce stress. For those of you who aren’t nerds, however, things are probably a little dicier right now.

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.

Woody Allen, President Harry S. Truman and the ubiquitously popular President Josiah Edward Bartlet are still in a constant struggle over who coined the phrase, “decisions are made by those who show up.” Aaron Sorkin, Bartlet’s creator, “borrowed” the phrase from the fictitious president for his 2012 commencement address at Syracuse University in order to inspire graduates to be true citizens of the world.

Raise your hand if you know that midterm elections are on Tuesday. Keep your hand raised if you’re planning on voting, whether in Missouri or your home state. Congratulations—you’re one of just 37 percent of people who are of voting age in our country, if 2010’s turnout data carries over to 2014.