Students who want a job when they graduate should vote in today's City Council election, political science professor Tim Krebs said.
"Everybody wants to leave college and have a job waiting for them," he said. "Local policies are going to affect that, as well, in terms of the success of the local government in making or helping to produce an economy."
There are three contested council seats - districts 2, 4 and 6.
District 6 encompasses the University area.
Voters will choose a representative for District 8, but Trudy Jones is running unopposed.
Also on the ballot is whether to recall District 9 City Councilor Don Harris.
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The job market isn't the only thing in the City Council's power that affects students, Krebs said.
It also regulates property development and Downtown entertainment venues, he said.
"The decisions they make have an affect on property values in a community," he said. "Even if students aren't owning property themselves, they're renting property, and so that can play into the amount that students are paying."
Student Noah Lewis said he'll vote in today's election because it is his responsibility as a U.S. citizen.
But he said the election isn't that important.
"Voting for our City Council members isn't a really big deal," he said. "They only have so much power, and most of the issues they have power over don't matter to me."
Student Mical Sharp said she would vote in the election, but her district isn't contested.
"I'm a full-time resident," she said. "I want to make sure they represent me on water issues and environmental issues."
Student Jaclyn Jardine said she would vote, but she didn't know there was an election.
"It's not that widely advertised," she said.
Krebs said local government has more of an impact than people realize.
"You can see the effects of local policies before your eyes every day," he said. "If students can get involved and make a difference on some level in their own backyard, it's probably more achievable than it might be at the national level."
Go to the city's Web site, Cabq.gov, to find your district's polling location.
There are 10 bond issues on the ballot, including $45 million for street improvements, $12 million for public safety and almost $38 million for parks and recreation, according to the city's Web site.
There are five propositions, including one to raise the pay for councilors and another to prevent city officials from taking contributions from contractors with city business, according to the Web site.
