Statesman

Issue date: 10/29/08 Section: Student Life

Media Credit: Tyler Sweeney Students raising support for the Democratic party at UMD.

The general election is coming up soon and UMD students are taking notice.

We have been hearing in the newspapers, magazines and on our TVs that something big is happening to America; the presidential election. With Election Day in two weeks, students around UMD are watching the coverage; however, many students still choose not to vote.

There has been a big push this election season to get students registered to vote. According to the office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, Minnesota has one of the highest voter turnouts in the country, over 80 percent.

If you don't vote, you are not alone. Some people choose not to vote because they don't like the candidates, or they don't know what the candidates stand for; they feel that politicians are out of touch with their needs. Others find the political system very confusing,and think that it takes up time to vote. Many students on campus dislike the negative ads and just want the election season to be over.

If you choose to vote, there are some ways to become more informed: get in contact with some of the political student organizations; talk to other students around campus about what they think about the election; talk to professors or even that cute person sitting across the coffee shop from you. To find out more information on the election, check out the Office of Civic Engagement website, ownyourvoteumd.com, or head over to www.sos.state.mn.us to get registered to vote in the state of Minnesota.


We asked some UMD students if they were voting and what issues mattered to them most. Here's what they told us.

Name: Jill Custer
Year at School:
Sophomore
Are you voting? Yes!
Why? "Because my opinion matters, and it is a waste not to vote."
What issues are important to you? "The war in Iraq and the economic crisis."

Name: Chris Varner
Year at School: Freshman
Are you voting? "I don't think it really matters [to me] because Minnesota hasn't been a Republican state for a long time and that's how I vote. Also, when you register to vote, you might get jury duty."

Name: Alex Rome
Year at School: Senior
Are you voting? Yes
Why? "If you don't vote, then don't complain."
What issues are important to you? "National security, tax cuts and constructionist judges."

Name: Tia Bissonette
Year at School: Freshman
Are you voting? Yes!
Why? "Get my opinion out there."
Who are you voting for? "I haven't decided yet."

Name: Hanna Cesario
Year at School: Sophomore
Are you voting? Yes
Why? "Because I want a president that will do something and my vote will count."
What issues are important to you?"The economy and foreign relations."

Name: Ryan Gilson
Year at School: Freshman
Are you voting? "I don't think so."
Why not? "I don't like either one of them; I don't think (McCain or Obama) fit the role of president."

Name: Kelly Owens
Year at School: Senior
Are you voting? Yes
Why? "I feel it is a really important time for America, and I don't want to sit back."
What issues are important to you? "Education, the environment and healthcare."

Name: Ian Friebe
Year at School: Senior
Are you voting? Yes
Why? "Because every vote counts and it is the right thing to do."
Why do you think people don't vote? "People don't care or they don't know enough about it, and don't want to vote for something they don't agree with."

Name: Tyler Verry
Year at School: Sophomore
Are you voting? Yes
Why? "It's my civic duty; I never thought about not voting."
What issues are important to you? "Energy and national security."

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