Oct. 4 is the last day students can become registered voters before the November election, which means it’s crunch time.

To register, students need a voter registration form and can get one online or at a library, post office or other locations. Students will need some form of identification or a utility bill that shows the registrant’s name and address. Felons must have completed any term of incarceration, parole or probation or received a pardon.

TCC students can vote early on four of the five campuses from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 26-28.

NE Campus’ early voting booths will be in the NSTU Galley.

NW Campus will have booths in the WTLO theater lobby.

South Campus’ booths will be in NSTU 1112.

SE Campus’ booths will be located in the North Ballroom.

Some of the big topics that voters should keep in mind are illegal immigration, education and, recently, the budget cuts to state spending.

According to The Dallas Morning News, Texas faces a deficit of $21 billion. Gov. Rick Perry faces the issue of how to cut that figure in half.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Democratic opponent Bill White has said the state’s deficit has doubled since Perry became governor. The state’s shortfall in 2000 was $13.7 billion. Perry has contested those figures.

This deficit should concern voters about how, when and where budget cuts will be made. Budget cuts could result in more jobs lost. Voters should want to know where their tax dollars are being spent.

People need to vote early or on Nov. 2.

The result of this election is, in many ways, more important than the presidential election because state and local decisions affect the average citizen more than decisions from Washington.

Arlington needs public transportation. Fort Worth and Dallas need to hire more police. And Texas needs more educators.

Voting is the first step in fixing problems in the state, not ignoring them.

A Texas Tribune poll put Perry six points ahead of White, which means the race is close enough that it could go either way.

Students need to be passionate about voting and should encourage others to vote. Voting is one of the simplest things students can to do to make a big change for the future.

Students can make a huge difference in their state with a simple vote. The more students who register and vote mean more student representation on election day no matter who they vote for.

Register now.