We’re 41 days out from the election. When you look at all of those homework assignments you need to accomplish in the next 41 days, that might seem like a long time to you. But it really isn’t.

In fact, some Americans have already cast their vote for president. By Sept. 27, 29 out of 50 states will have started early voting. These include Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan and Illinois. Minnesota calls early voting “in person absentee voting,” which has also already started.

So you didn’t get a chance to register to vote on National Voter Registration Day at the O’Shaughnessy-Frey library on Tuesday, Sept. 25? There’s still time. Yet, for all you procrastinators out there, take former President Thomas Jefferson’s advice: “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.”

But why? Why should you care? What’s at stake for you in this election? Well let me tell you: a lot. And that’s why you need to vote.

Are you going to be looking for a job in the next four years? Then you need to vote. Do you have or look to have health insurance in the next four years? Then you need to vote. Have you taken out a student loan? Then you need to vote. Jobs, the economy, health care and education are just a few issues that will play a major role in this election.

If you can’t tell, President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney have two completely different plans on where this country is headed. So how will you decide which candidate represents your views most accurately?

Learn the issues: There will be negative ads coming from both sides up until election day. This can be discouraging, confusing and downright annoying for most people. But don’t cast your vote solely on negative ads. When you learn where each candidate stands on an issue, you can articulate why you’re voting for that person because you’ve done your research. When you know the facts, you’ll be able to confidently walk into the voting booth (or mail in that ballot) knowing why you’re voting for that person.

Learn to care about politics: Time and time again I hear 20 somethings say they don’t care about politics. Even though I’ve been interested in politics since grade school, don’t assume I’m coming from some high and mighty place here. I’m always one of the first people to defend our generation when others say we’re not motivated and have no idea what’s going on in the world, let alone America. But don’t give anyone a reason to say that. Investing time in investigating politics is investing time in your future.

Then go out and vote. But seriously: According to a POLITICO report, 130 million people voted in the 2008 election, which was “the most ever to vote in a presidential election.” Why would you want to be left out of such a historical time in our nation’s history? Most college students were not old enough to vote in the last election. If that’s the case for you, now’s your chance. And don’t forget about all the men and women who worked tirelessly, fought and died for your right to vote.

Everyone has an opinion on something. Why not turn your opinion on this presidential race into a concrete decision to vote? You have 41 days. Go.

Cynthia Johnson can be reached at john3175@stthomas.edu.