Bob Dylan once sang, “The Times They Are A-Changin’.”

Although Dylan sang his song about the frustrations of another generation, our generation – students and citizens between the ages of 18 and 29 – changed their views about the political process and are impacting the 2008 presidential race.

According to a study conducted by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) the number of young voters in the Democratic and Republican presidential primaries soared to record numbers when compared to previous election years.

Sixteen percent of the primary participants in the Democratic primary were between 18 and 29, 6 percent more than in 2004 election and 7 percent more than in the 2000 election. In the Texas Republican primary, 13 percent of primary participants were from our generation, which was four percent more than in the 2000 election.

Although the increased numbers may have been influenced by the ultra competitiveness of the Democratic primary, one thing is clear: younger generations care more about the direction this country heads.

“Twenty or 30 years down the road we’re going to be the ones running the country,” said Jason Cunningham, an ACU alumnus (’07) who volunteered for Barack Obama’s campaign. “It’s important to make our views and policies known to make sure that it’s a country that we still want to have.”

Regardless of the candidate one chooses to support or the policies one feels strongly about, staying informed about the fight for the White house reeks of importance- more than any other election in our lifetime.

With an ongoing conflict in Iraq, an economy headed toward the deep end of the recession pool and candidates offering divergence from the status quo, apathy is meant for fools.

Whether that means spending five minutes reading the candidates’ policies on their Web sites, catching an episode of your favorite “fair and balanced” 24-hour news channel or heaven forbid reading a newspaper, an informed vote is the smartest vote.

Left or right, blue or red, Christian or secular, youth in this country need to continue to maintain interest in the political process and the presidential campaign. One can’t complain in 2012 if he or she didn’t vote in the election come November because of class.

Save an absence. Help choose decide who runs the country.