Low voting statistics from past year urge students to participate
If P. Diddy had his way, the majority of students at Utah State University would no longer be breathing.
With an ever-declining percentage of students participating in ASUSU elections, Sean Puffy Combs’ “Vote or Die” mantra seems to be falling on deaf ears in Logan.
Voting turn-out has not been high in the past, according to ASUSU voting statistics. Last year, 15 percent of the student body voted for the position of USU student body president. In 2004, 21 percent voted, in 2003 it was 19 percent and in 2002, 20 percent of the student body voted during elections, according to the same statistics.
“We want more students to vote this year. Not just for student body president, but for all the positions,” said Holly Scott, ASUSU public relations director.
Stephanie Smith, a sophomore majoring in family, consumer and human development, helped on a campaign last year and said she thinks it is important for students to vote.
“It is their one chance a year to get their voice heard,” she said. “You can and should vote for someone who you think will be able to take care of problems at USU.”
With primary elections for next year’s student government at Utah State University ending Friday afternoon, students are encouraged to vote before it’s too late.
“[Voting for ASUSU elections is] easy, important and accessible,” said Scott, who is heading the ASUSU elections committee. “Now is a great time for all of the students at USU to get involved and vote.”
Tyler Neal, a recreation resource management student on the ASUSU elections committee, said he also thinks it is important for students to vote.
“ASUSU actually does make a difference. If we don’t vote, we have no right to say if they’ve done a good job or bad job for the school.”
Another student, Megan Boarden, a sophomore majoring in marketing, said it is important to vote.
“Obviously, a lot of people that get elected decide what is done with money I pay. They decide how and where that money should be spent,” she said. “They make decisions about activities on campus … I’m sure they do a lot more than I can think of.”
Boarden said that she didn’t vote last year because she wasn’t informed enough about when to vote and who she could vote for. Many students feel the same way.
To inform students of candidates and their platforms, there will be election forums, receptions and debates held through Wednesday. Students are invited to attend these events to get to know the candidates.
To vote, students should log on to a-station.usu.edu. Students can use any computer with access to the Internet. There will be voting booths set up at computer kiosks near the Taggart Student Center computer lab on the last day of primary elections and the last day of final elections that students may also use to vote on.
The last day to vote for primary elections is today until 1:30 p.m. The final elections begin on Monday and end Friday at 4:30 p.m.
-canmabey@cc.usu.edu
Election Activities
Friday, March 3
Last day of Primary Elections. Voting closes at 1:30 p.m.
Primary Election Annoucement 2PM – Interternational Lounge
Monday, March 6
ASUSU Final Elections Begins 7:30 a.m. start voting
Visit ASUSU table at the HASS fair 10:30AM-1:00PM –
TSC Sunburst Lounge
Presidential debate and hot chocolate 12:30 – TSC patio
Tuesday, March 7
Finals Reception: 12:30 p.m. TSC patio
Chili Bake with HASS
Wednesday, March 8
Last day of Final Elections Polls close at 4:30 p.m.
Final Announcement 5pm TSC International Lounge