With campaigns for the 2000 presidential election going full speed ahead, students across the state have begun organizing campus campaigns for the various candidates.
At the University, College Republicans and College Democrats are mobilizing students to increase voter turnout, registering voters and promoting issue education throughout this semester.
"Young people are notoriously poor voters for a variety of reasons," communications studies Prof. Michael Traugott said. Temporary residency, weak community attachments, less worries concerning paying taxes and homeownership make students less likely to vote, he said, but education on the issues should increase voter turnout among students.
A Democratic Issues Conference is scheduled for Nov. 13 as an agenda-building project to define Democratic goals for 2000, LSA senior and College Democrats President Josh Cowen said in a written statement.
 |
| KIMITSU YOGACHI/Daily University Regent Larry Deitch (D-Bloomfield Hills) speaks at Hutchins Hall on Oct. 21 to Bill Bradley supporters. |
As campus organizations gear up for the upcoming primaries and election, the College Republicans said they are willing to serve as a resource center for gathering volunteers and information. But the group does not endorse candidates during the primary season.
But as campaign competition heats up and more formidable candidates enter the race, students within the two campus parties have divided to organize campus campaigns.
The College Democrats are forming the campus organizations Students for Gore and Students for Bradley.
"In terms of organizing around campus, we are spending a lot of time this semester focused on issue education and getting Bill Bradley's name out around campus," LSA senior Amanda Beaumont, an organizer of Students for Bradley, said in a written response.
Former Sen. Bill Bradley, who announced his candidacy last month, has rapidly risen to challenge Vice President Al Gore for the Democratic nomination. As the March 11 Michigan Democratic caucus approaches, Students for Bradley are working hard to get students registered with the hope that they will vote for Bradley, Beaumont said.
But Students for Gore got a head start on campaigning. Organizing for Gore's campaign began early in the semester and there already is a strong contingency on campus, said co-organizer Shanna Singh, an LSA senior. The group plans on educating the community about the election and taking part in community service activities, she said.
Members of Students for Gore are taking part in a 5- kilometer run sponsored by the Sexual Assault Prevention Awareness Center in representation of those issues important to Gore, Singh said.
Members of the College Republicans have organized Students for Bush and Students for McCain groups as well.
Students for Bush "has gotten off the ground and we are working on" the campus campaign, Killian said.
Students have been inquiring about how to become involved in Bush's campaign, said LSA junior Rory Diamond, a co-organizer for the Students for Bush campaign. So many students have expressed interest that, "We don't have to ask for it," he said.
Students for McCain has also begun recruiting students to join the campaign process. The group plans to actively gather support for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the perceived underdog, and get his name out, said LSA junior Will Rubens, the campus director for McCain 2000.
The College Republicans have two goals for the remainder of the semester. The first is to register students to vote in November, and the second is to register students as members of the Republican party so they can vote in the Feb. 22 primary. But Diamond, who is also president of the College Republicans, said Students for Bush have been taking advantage of the College Republicans' available resources.
Despite the fact that student voter turnout has been historically low, a new Michigan law will soon limit citizens to vote only in the city they regard as their permanent address.
"It's problematic" to increase voter turnout, Traugott said, adding that he believes the law was passed because the Republican controlled legislature perceives students as Democrats. This bill could have "a chilling effect" and impact Democratic turnout, Traugott said.
But not everyone believes the bill is detrimental to student voter turnout. Students can still vote on an absentee ballot which is a simple process, said Del Chenault, executive director of the Bush for Michigan campaign. Informing students of their voting options is the key to combating the bill's potential effects, he added.
But College Democrats said they are outraged after fighting against the bill earlier this year.
"If we can win back the State House, we can overturn a lot of the damage that has been done," Cowen said.
11-05-99
| Previous Article |
should be sent to: daily.letters@umich.edu | should be sent to: online.daily@umich.edu |