The 2014 midterm elections are just around the corner and students should be preparing themselves to head to the polls.

It may not be one of the most important election years in some people’s minds, but there are some very important statewide elections on the ballot this year. If students go into the polls without any information, they may not be happy with the choices they ultimately make.

If you are voting in Oswego, you will notice the race for New York’s 24th Congressional District is on the ballot. The incumbent in the race is Democrat Dan Maffei, while John Katko is the Republican candidate attempting to take the seat. A Siena College Poll, released on Sept. 21, showed Maffei leading by 8 percent, while another 8 percent either held no opinion or did not know.

However, the numbers do not show the story behind each candidate. Maffei’s campaign has been running strong on fighting for women’s equality. Both campaigns have had harsh attack ads going after the credibility of one another.

There are more races, too. Republican hopeful Rob Astorino, Westchester County Executive, is challenging Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo has led the entire way and Siena College’s most recent poll shows him holding a 20 percent lead.

Now, polls only mean so much. Each candidate has been making his or her case for months. Their positions are out there and known so it does not take much effort for voters to educate themselves on who they are voting into public office.

Taking the time to research the race you are voting on could help you in the long run. Instead of just going off what attack ads are telling you, take the time to read an article online about the candidates or about the facts behind the attack ads. Oftentimes the ads stretch the truth or just scratch the surface of what is really going on.

When Nov. 4 comes in just over a week, be educated and know why you are voting for someone or something.