Although yesterday's election did not include a presidential race, Ann Arbor saw a higher voter turnout than in recent years.
"We've had a strong turnout all over the county," said Peggy Haines, Washtenaw County Clerk/Register of Deeds.
Voice Your Vote has been working since September to increase voter turnout.
Voice Your Vote co-founder Ryan Friedrichs said the group tried to increase student voting by hosting political debates and distributing registration forms to first-year students with their leases.
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student exit poll
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In addition to Voice Your Vote's efforts, the high-profile races in this year's election led to a higher voter turnout.
"There's a lot of factors involved. Fieger has something to do with the turnout," said Arthur Bolzman, elections chair for 3rd Ward's First Precinct, which voted in East Quad. "It all comes down to the candidates."
Political advertisements affected political interest and student voting in different ways.
"The campaigns seem to be more negative, which made me want to vote," Engineering senior Mathew Niedleinger said.
But some students seeking information on candidates said advertisements were not helpful.
"The ads could have been more informative," LSA first-year student Liz Bell said. "They really didn't influence me."
Students said campus visits by candidates had a greater impact on voting.
"It really shows the students that they care what we have to say," said LSA junior Kelly Boland, president of the campus chapter of College Democrats.
Certain visits to campus inspired student voters.
"Knowing that Fieger stopped by campus makes me want to vote," LSA sophomore Gina Claeys said.
Many students said Fieger did not do an adequate job in his campaign.
"Engler has had an easier time because Fieger is so far behind," LSA senior John Tsien said. "There's a lot of bafflement about how Fieger has been handling his campaign."
Engineering junior Adam Silver, president of the campus chapter of College Republicans, said the organization expected Engler to win the election, but other races were more difficult for Republican candidates.
"There were a lot of voters that thought Engler had it made, 'so what's the point of voting?'" Silver said. "But grass roots campaigning can help the whole ticket."
Some students, however, stayed away from the polls.
"I didn't vote because I didn't do any research on the candidates," LSA junior Nisha Shahjahan said.
John Engler/Dick Posthumus (Republican) 116
Ingrid Sheldon (Republican) 68
Tom Hickey (Republican) 67
Philip Power (Democratic) 147
David Brandon (Republican) 61
Jessie Dalman (Republican) 61
11-04-98
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