Believe it or not, I was actually excited to vote yesterday.

At 22, I'm in a segment of the population with the lowest voter turnout -- the age group that seems it could care less about politics.

And up until this year, I fit that profile pretty well. Sure, I voted. But I wasn't too enthusiastic about it. I voted for the candidate I could stand a little bit more than the other. I eenie-meenie-minie-moed the candidates I had absolutely no opinion about.

It's funny what a little bit of knowledge will do to change your opinion of politics.

Being involved in covering candidates and meeting many of them, it was much easier to want to vote this year. Previously, I never completely grasped the importance of local races, but after this election season I realize how important they are in Austin and Mower County.

By talking with candidates and reading and watching the coverage of forums and debates, I was able to get a better understanding of the issues affecting this area.

And now you're thinking … well, no kidding. That's called being an informed voter. It's not rocket science.

Yes, but if I were still in school or didn't work in this profession, I don't think becoming an informed voter would be as easy -- or interesting.

Election Day has come and gone. Either you voted or you didn't. And if you did vote, either you knew the issues or you didn't.

I hope you knew the issues. It's so easy to fill in the arrows without really paying attention or sticking to party lines, no matter what you've heard about the candidate. It's easy to shut out any political talk.

And yes, some of the political talk isn't very useful. I can't say I want to see another political advertisement. Or another yard sign.

And I'm glad I wasn't driving around very much on Monday. I may have run over someone waving a yard sign in the street.

(By the way … risking your life for a candidate -- that's commitment. But I think the sign-wavers would be just as effective if they stayed on the sidewalk.)

Annoying political ads and promotions aside, there is some pertinent information out there. Newspapers, television news and Web sites all are good sources and don't really take a whole lot of time out of your day.

This advice comes too late, but hopefully it will be food for thought for other election years, particularly the president's race in 2004.

Voter turnout was pretty high in Minnesota Tuesday. I think people realized the importance of many races this year.

The parties that control the U.S. House and Senate were under debate. Whether Mower County would be the location for the first woman to be elected sheriff in the state's history was decided. The future of a school in a town of 566 people was determined.

How can anyone not be interested? Politics is exciting -- but only when you've gathered enough information to realize it.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at :mailto:cari.quam@austindailyherald.com