College Dems hope to lure student voters

Caucus chair speaks at chapter meeting

To increase participation among students throughout Michigan, state Democrats are setting forth the Agenda Building Project, their plan to bring students to the polls.

Democratic Caucus Chair Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.) has been traveling to various campuses across the state to hear what students think should be the major issues in the state legislature.

Peters met with members of the College Democrats campus chapter last night to discuss the Agenda Building Project and speak with students about what they feel are the most pertinent issues for them.

"What do you think we should be doing as Senate Democrats?," Peters asked the group that had assembled last night in the Michigan Room of the Michigan Union.

JEREMY MENCHIK/Daily Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.) spins the Cube in Regents' Plaza after speaking at the College Democrats meeting last night.

College Democrats members said they are concerned with issues such as the new law requiring a single address for voter registration, education funding, textbook sales tax, abortion and the environment.

"I think the biggest issue on campus right now is education on the issues," said College Democrats Treasurer Molly Harris, an LSA senior.

Many students are not informed about what is going on out there, Harris said, adding that "I think what Sen. Peters is doing is good."

The campus chapter of the College Democrats will work to coordinate activities with other activists and student groups on the education campaign, said LSA senior Amanda Beaumont, a College Democrats executive board member.

Hopefully the group will be able to co-sponsor events, conduct teach-ins and promote outreach programs, she added.

After the Democrats lost their majority in the state House of Representatives last year, the Democratic Caucus has put forth efforts to regain control in the upcoming 2000 elections.

"We hope to have control of the House," Peters said, adding that being a Democrat in the state legislature right now is not the most comfortable place to be.

The legislature doesn't really reflect the opinions of the general public in the state, Peters said.

After meeting with Michigan residents, Peters said he found that many voters feel that Democrats are losing touch with the grassroots community.

"One area we haven't done very much with is students," Peters said, adding that getting students to the polls has been challenging.

"I don't want this to be a one-time meeting," Peters said. Students who want to receive more information on various legislative issues were encouraged to sign their names to a list so the senator can keep them well informed.

Democratic candidates for Ann Arbor City Council also were present at yesterday's meeting to reach out to student groups for help in the November elections.

Candidates John Hieftje (Ward I), Parma Yarkin (Ward II), Larry Kestenbaum (Ward IV) and Chirs Kolb (Ward V) attended the meeting.

All the candidates welcomed student volunteers to help distribute information and gather support on campus.

"Student issues are local issues," Kolb said, referring to the lack of attention paid to local elections.

"I will welcome any students I can get" for the city council seat, Hieftje said, adding that student turnout is very important.

10-21-99