What’s up with people who don’t vote? Do they think that apathy is cool? Do they have a “Don’t blame me, I didn’t vote” mentality? Do they think it’s a hassle to learn about the issues? Do they imagine long, slow-moving lines at polling places?

To people who vote in every election, it’s hard if not impossible to understand people who don’t vote. It’s not just a right, it’s a privilege to vote. The Iraqis already understand the significance of voting because they live in a part of the world where self-rule is a novelty.

There’s a lot at stake in next Tuesday’s special election. Despite it all, pollsters have already predicted low voter turnout. It’s true that Californians are fed up with long, confusing ballot propositions.

On the other hand, the approval ratings for the governor and state legislators are so low that some citizens have decided that we shouldn’t trust them to make difficult decisions for us.

Tuesday’s outcome is vitally important for everyone.

Among other choices, the electorate will decide whether parents should be notified before an underage daughter can get an abortion. The people will decide whether or not teachers can continue to get tenure at the end of two years or whether it should be increased to five years. The power of labor unions in political campaigns will be determined. Redistricting of California’s legislative boundaries is also at stake.

Unless you submitted an absentee ballot, please vote on Tuesday.

And if you aren’t registered to vote, make a commitment to get registered before the end of the year. Just go to a library, fire station or city hall and somebody will help you. Please make this the last election in which you didn’t vote.

By not voting, you put more power in the hands of those who do.