Is the Student Vote There?

Red, white and blue confetti descends like scattered rain, posters sway in the massive crowds, and the smiling presidential candidates splash across the morning newspaper and the evening news. The 2008 elections are in full charge and are swarming with scandal, debates and sentimental speeches. Students across the country are watching, but are they willing to take part in this year’s presidential election? The Oregon Student Association affirms, “Yes, they are.” Brenda Sifuentez, of OSA says, “Students will not only register in high numbers but also turn out to vote.”

However, for different reasons, many students don’t know who to support. “Students don’t know who to support or what the issues are because they don’t take the time to inform themselves, “ states Scott Linnertz, a UO senior. “When it comes to politics, it seems students are more concerned with other things, and it will be interesting to see how many students will turn out this election,” Linnertz asserts.

For students who don’t know who or what issues to support, there’s Votehelp.org. A popular non-partisan site, Votehelp.org has launched an all-new “Candidate Calculator.” Think of Votehelp.org as a presidential matchmaking site, created to match each voter with a candidate based on the issues. Choosing a presidential candidate has never been easier.

Furthermore, candidates are targeting the student vote. Through social media, including YouTube and Facebook, they are reaching young voters. “The information is out there, but many students don’t really care and let others do the work and complain later,” Linnertz reiterates. “Students are quick to speak their minds but need to act on it.” Organizations committed to the student vote include Rock the Vote, the United States Student Association and the Student Association for Voter Empowerment. “I hope students get online, get a newspaper and get informed about candidates and the issues,” expresses Linnertz.

The ASUO is the key non-partisan organization on the UO campus, devoted to getting as many students not only registered to vote but also informed about the 2008 election. From canvassing campus communities to dominating sidewalks and registering students one-by-one, the ASUO will be the muscle behind the student vote at the UO this spring and fall.

“This is a great year for students to come out and vote because candidates are looking to colleges and universities in a new way,” said ASUO Chief of Staff Jennifer Lleras. “Hopefully students will get involved and support voter registration this spring and fall,” Lleras stresses.

The ASUO anticipates registering more than 10,000 students at its 2008 Spring/Fall Voter Registration Drive, which will begin the first week of spring term. “We hope to have the biggest registration drive since the fall of 2004, and we are kicking it off in the spring instead of fall to reach more students,” Lleras says.

“The past couple of years there has been an increased trend in student voters, and

the 2008 elections should meet or surpass previous years. We hope students will get involved and have their say in this historical presidential election,” Sifuentez reiterates.

Amanda Lopez is a senior at the University of Oregon and studies Journalism and Spanish.

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