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In two weeks, Illinois, and the rest of America, will vote for our next president of the United States.

But that’s not the only important thing on the ballot this year. We are also voting for our congressional representative in Washington, and our state representatives in Springfield. We are voting on statewide referenda about reproductive healthcare and income tax.

I think you’d be hard-pressed to look at the 2024 ballot and say there isn’t at least one item on there that won’t have a direct impact on your life.

Yes, that includes college students like me and like some of you.

Which is why I’m directly involved in this year’s election as an election protection organizer with Common Cause Illinois. I believe voting is important. And I’m dedicated to making sure students and young adults like me vote this year and strengthen our democracy in the process.

Here’s why I think it’s important for you to vote:

— Young voices need to be heard: We make up a sizable portion of the population (an estimated 41 million of us are eligible to vote), and our priorities and concerns differ from those of older generations. By voting and engaging in democracy, we ensure that our voices are represented in decisions that impact our future.

— Our participation gets candidates to address issues that directly affect us, like student loans, education costs and financial aid. If we don’t vote, our candidates won’t focus on issues important to us.

— Voting allows us to create the future we want to live in: By voting and participating in democracy, we can influence policies that will shape our society. Whether it’s about health care, climate change or social justice, we have the ability to contribute.

— It puts our education to use: In college, we learn how to use our knowledge and critical thinking skills. Being active in democracy allows us to apply that education to make sure we’re informed voters who advocate for meaningful change.

If you’re unhappy with your elected officials, the conditions of the roads, the quality of the schools or the safety in your neighborhood, here is your chance to be heard. If you like how things are going, it’s the same opportunity to voice that.

Personally, I believe we have a lot of work to do. We are lagging behind our neighbor states when it comes to important democracy issues, like fair maps, our revolving door of lawmaker to lobbyist, and on other important transparency and anti-corruption issues.

But if you want to have your voice heard by voting in this year’s election, you have a short amount of time to register to vote. Early in-person voting has already started.

It’s important not to wait to register and to vote — who knows what may come up — so go ahead and educate yourself and vote.

If you have problems registering to vote or casting your ballot, you can feel safe calling or texting 866-OUR-VOTE. It is a hotline run by the Election Protection Coalition, a national group of nonpartisan organizations designed to make sure every voter can easily cast a ballot.

The hotline is staffed with experts working around the clock, ready to help solve any issues you have, like finding out how to register to vote or your polling location.

Your voice matters just as much as everyone else’s. Let’s use our voices to make a difference this year and every year.

University of Illinois student Mira Alifantas is an election protection organizer with Common Cause Illinois, a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create open, honest and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.