What you need to know when you vote today, Tuesday, November 6.

The midterm elections are here, and many voters will be heading to the polls for the first time. Fresno State Focus reporter Julia Vella spoke with political science professor Dr. Lisa Bryant about some of the ways newcomers can educate themselves on the ballot. Bryant suggested using the website Votersedge.org, a non-partisan website by the League of Women Voters. Bryant says once you input your zip code, the website will list the pros and cons for each initiative and candidate in your district.

Bryant says it’s important that everyone votes, especially young people because politicians listen to people who show up at the polls.

“Government reflects the people who have a voice and an input in a government,” Bryant says. “If you don’t necessarily like the bills the government is passing or you don’t necessarily care for politicians that are in office and what their agenda is, the only way to have an impact on that and make a difference is to go out and vote.”

Bryant says students should definitely look at the initiatives and decide which ones are important to them, but they should also take a close look at the candidates.

“Students need to sit down and think about who’s not going to set student loan interest rates and think about jobs packages and how much you’re paying in taxes. All of these things matter, even to young people,” Bryant says.