Voter registration in Patriot encourages students to vote
Ed Cotter
Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: News
As the election approaches, it is important that Mount students take part in the first election that they are old enough to vote in. Walking into the cafeteria for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you might notice someone at a table, trying to persuade you to register to vote. They are not about to persuade your voting choice, just the fact that you actually register.
"I volunteered to persuade students to vote," Jed Crook said. "I believe that it is important to vote, and even if you don't vote, it is important to register and not vote. It shows a message to analysts that someone registered but didn't vote. So far most people have registered, although one or two people have said 'I don't care.'"
"I got involved in the Mount's Voter Registration Drive because I am very passionate about politics and I believe that everyone should exercise their right to vote in the election," said Jessica Cody, another student who helps register to vote. "As far as my role is concerned, I am the Co-President of College Democrats and I am Campus Coordinator for Students for Barack Obama here at the Mount.
"Our roles in the drive was to encourage students to voice their opinions and participate in one of their first Presidential elections. I am a political science and philosophy double major, I am all about voicing opinions. We decided that if we had applications available, whether online or paper, and paid for postage, students would find it more convenient to register. We actually had a nice turn-out, we had a few dozen students register with us. Overall, I think that the registration drive was a success and that the Mount is prepared for the upcoming election."
Some Mounties take registering to vote very seriously, and advocate it in others.
"I encourage all my students to vote," sociology professor, Dr. Kim Hansen said, "The Mount wants to educate people to become responsible citizens. Compared to my last school in San Diego, this campus seems less politically active. Here, walking across campus, you don't see signs or anything."
Others have registered, but made the decision not to vote.
"I just became an American citizen last year," said Sara Vadikhadah, an Iranian-American sophomore. "It takes five years of naturalization before you are legal to vote. I am registered but I refuse to vote this year because both candidates are so lacking in experience."
"I'm not voting this year," sophomore Denise Stoudt said. "I forgot my absentee ballot and I am apathetic. I don't feel like driving home to Waldorf, Maryland to vote for candidates when I don't support either of them."
Some are just confused.
"I don't even know if I'm voting yet this year,"New Jersey sophomore Eileen Coyne said. "But if I vote, I'm voting for McCain. Both candidates are horrible, and I don't think either should be president. I haven't registered yet and I don't know if I will. Personally I think I would be the best president."
"I volunteered to persuade students to vote," Jed Crook said. "I believe that it is important to vote, and even if you don't vote, it is important to register and not vote. It shows a message to analysts that someone registered but didn't vote. So far most people have registered, although one or two people have said 'I don't care.'"
"I got involved in the Mount's Voter Registration Drive because I am very passionate about politics and I believe that everyone should exercise their right to vote in the election," said Jessica Cody, another student who helps register to vote. "As far as my role is concerned, I am the Co-President of College Democrats and I am Campus Coordinator for Students for Barack Obama here at the Mount.
"Our roles in the drive was to encourage students to voice their opinions and participate in one of their first Presidential elections. I am a political science and philosophy double major, I am all about voicing opinions. We decided that if we had applications available, whether online or paper, and paid for postage, students would find it more convenient to register. We actually had a nice turn-out, we had a few dozen students register with us. Overall, I think that the registration drive was a success and that the Mount is prepared for the upcoming election."
Some Mounties take registering to vote very seriously, and advocate it in others.
"I encourage all my students to vote," sociology professor, Dr. Kim Hansen said, "The Mount wants to educate people to become responsible citizens. Compared to my last school in San Diego, this campus seems less politically active. Here, walking across campus, you don't see signs or anything."
Others have registered, but made the decision not to vote.
"I just became an American citizen last year," said Sara Vadikhadah, an Iranian-American sophomore. "It takes five years of naturalization before you are legal to vote. I am registered but I refuse to vote this year because both candidates are so lacking in experience."
"I'm not voting this year," sophomore Denise Stoudt said. "I forgot my absentee ballot and I am apathetic. I don't feel like driving home to Waldorf, Maryland to vote for candidates when I don't support either of them."
Some are just confused.
"I don't even know if I'm voting yet this year,"New Jersey sophomore Eileen Coyne said. "But if I vote, I'm voting for McCain. Both candidates are horrible, and I don't think either should be president. I haven't registered yet and I don't know if I will. Personally I think I would be the best president."
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