Student turnout low for A2 elections

Habitually low turnout among the student body population in local elections is expected to continue in today's Ann Arbor City Council elections.

"In off years, it's way, way down. We would benefit a lot more if a lot of students who considered themselves Democrats would come out and vote," said Douglas Scott, chair of the Ann Arbor Democratic Party.

Local elections held in years without congressional or presidential races often have very low voter turnout, but the paralyzing effects usually have been more pronounced among student voters. In the 1995 election, Ann Arbor's overall voter turnout was 13 percent, but in the student-dominated precincts, the average was 2.6 percent.

The worst of the student precincts was the second precinct of the 1st Ward, where students and residents voted in Alice Lloyd residence hall. Turnout in this precinct was 0.8 percent. Only 13 votes were tallied.

Student political leaders said they were frustrated by the failing student interest in city council races.

"It's their local representative. They're the one you have the most access to," said Erica Cohen, president of the University chapter of the College Democrats. When students have issues to discuss, councilmembers "are often willing to come and have coffee with you," she said.

But some students actually participate in some candidates' campaigns.

"We're working for Parma Yarkin," Cohen said of the College Democrats. "She's doing some 'get out the vote' activities."

Yarkin is the democratic candidate in the 2nd Ward. The College Democrats have been distributing campaign literature and trying to assemble a phone bank on her behalf.

Libertarian candidate Michael Enright, an LSA sophomore, said that students are his core voters.

"I've tried to focus on students and to get students involved," Enright said. "I think students need a student member."

Enright said he planned to spend the last hours of the day before the election campaigning in his home - South Quad residence hall. "I'm hoping for a large turnout," Enright said.

Some people attribute the level of local disinterest to the perception that Ann Arbor is only a temporary residence.

"College students tend to be really apathetic. They don't feel that this is where they live. They don't feel the need to get involved in politics here," Cohen said.

"Until you become a taxpayer, you don't have much interest in anything except the national issues," said Councilmember David Kwan (R-2nd Ward).

Kwan, who is up for re-election today, also pointed out that many out-of-state students prefer to stay registered in their own states and that many other students are from other countries.

Councilmember Heidi Herrell (D-3rd Ward), who also is up for re-election today, said she hopes for a large student turnout.

"It's very critical for people to get out and vote," Herrell said. "I know there's a great many students who have difficulty deciding whether to stay registered in their hometowns or to register here."

Herrell said she would encourage students to register in Ann Arbor. Four years is a long enough to make Ann Arbor a home, she said.

11-04-97