It's a sad fact that college-age voters show up at the polls in fewer numbers than the rest of the population. In the 2004 U.S. election, only 46.7 percent of 18-24 year olds registered to vote cast a ballot, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In contrast, 55.7 percent of registered 25-34 year olds voted. Seniors led the way at the polls, with 71.8 percent of registered voters older than 55 voting.

Alaska has a choice to make on Nov. 7. Sarah Palin, Tony Knowles, and Andrew Halcro are all vying for the right to move into the governor's house.

Big issues will be decided this election, including how to move forward on a natural gas pipeline, how to bring more ethics to Juneau, and how to ensure every child gets a good education.

But if you don't register to vote, you won't get a say in those decisions.

The deadline to register to vote or to update existing registration for the general election is Sunday. Regional offices, including in Fairbanks, will stay open this weekend for people who left it until the last minute.

Think your vote doesn't count? Rep. Carl Moses of Unalaska would probably tell you different. In the Aug. 22 primary elections, Moses, tied with challenger Bryce Edgmon in his race for a seat in the state House of Representatives.

After a recount and an appeal to the Alaska Supreme Court, the final tally of the election came out as 767 votes each candidate. A coin toss on Sept. 25 was to decide the winner.

Moses called heads; the coin came up tails. Edgmon won.

How crazy is that?

"It has not sunk in yet," Moses told the Associated Press when asked about how a coin toss apparently ended his 22-year political career.

Every vote literally counted for once. And while the odds of the governor's race coming down to flipping quarters is slim – last week was apparently the first time in state history a coin has decided an election – the message couldn't be clearer.

"This event is another demonstration of the value of each vote," Lt. Gov. Loren Leman told the AP.

Elections are important, if for no other reason that it's one of the few times people in power are not in control. Come Nov. 7, we'll have the power to make or break the dreams of Knowles, Palin and Halcro.

Two initiatives are also on the ballot. One would cut the Alaska legislative session from 120 days to 90; the other proposes a natural gas resource tax and production credit. Both will shape the Alaska political scene. But you'll need to be registered to have a say.

Registering is relatively painless. Either drop by the Division of Elections Office at 675 Seventh Avenue, Suite H3, or download an application from the division's Web site, http://ltgov.state.ak.us/elections/regapp.php.

Just remember, you have until Sunday. After that, you're stuck with the guy or gal the rest of us chose.