USU ups state-wide voter registration
Many Utah State University students continue registering to vote as various clubs and organizations promote the process before elections Nov. 5.
The USU College Republicans, College Democrats and Civic Awareness Week Council have collectively encouraged about 1,150, or 5 percent, of the students to register.
The College Republicans set a goal to get as many students as possible registered. Members of the club went door to door on and off campus, providing voter registration forms for the students to fill out.
Tom Robins, state vice chairman for the College Republicans, said, “We realized that if we went to [the students] they were more willing to register. Most people are intimidated, but it is easier when we walk them through it.”
They registered 515 students, 262 of which were Republicans, 200 were unaffiliated, 34 were Democrats, seven were Independent Americans, six were Americans, two were Libertarians and three were other.
“We didn’t just register Republicans. It was whoever wanted to do it,” Robins said. “This year we got a really good, positive response.”
On Sept. 17, a national campaign called “Get on Board” began encouraging students to register nationwide. Members of the USU College Democrats have been going door to door three to four times a week registering students to vote as part of the campaign.
Angie Baker, field director for the Dave Thomas Campaign, said the College Democrats got about 100 students to register. Seventy percent of the voters were unaffiliated but some were Republican or Democratic voters.
The USU College Democrats are part of the College Democrats of America, which has seen 50,000 new members nationwide this year.
Mike Waggoner, Associated Students of USU executive vice president, said during Civic Awareness Week, 4.6 percent of the student body pledged to vote on Nov. 5. Between 500 and 550 students registered to vote.
“We’re getting ready for people to vote, and we want to let their voice be heard,” Waggoner said.
Dru Bailey, a junior majoring in art, said, “I think the opportunity to register to vote is very accessible to the students, especially during Civic Awareness Week.”
Although many people have registered to vote, some feel it is not enough.
Michael Lyons, a USU political science professor, said, “In a broad sense, it is highly unfortunate that college students don’t vote as much. The candidates don’t devote their attention to those who aren’t apathetic about voting.”
Bailey said, “People don’t care or realize the importance of voting and taking an active part in the community. You are representing your country, and so I think it’s important that you research the candidates and know why they are running.”
Many elections are determined by just a few votes and those few votes decided how a community, a state or a country is run, he said.
Robins said, “If you don’t turn in your registration card, don’t be surprised when you get a draft card to go to war. It’s important for students, just as well as anyone else, to register and vote to let their voice be heard.”
College campuses are more liberal than the community they surround, and sometimes students are the ones who make the difference in an election, he said.
There are still many students, however, who do not know how or even care to register. Some stay registered with the city they are from.
Tanya Martin, a junior majoring in family and human development, said, “I don’t know where to go, when it is or who is running. If they put up more flyers and advertised it a little bit more, I would probably be more informed.”
Students can still register to vote in person at the county clerk’s office on 170 N. Main St. until Monday. The deadline for requesting absentee ballots is Nov. 1. Applications are available online at www.elections.utah.gov. Absentee ballots must be postmarked Nov. 4.
Utah will be voting for three members of Congress (House of Representatives) Nov. 5.
-mmackay@cc.usu.edu