Vote to Make a Difference
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UMD Student Groups Urge Involvement in Nov. 2 Election
The Office of Civic Engagement, the Department of Political Science, and the University Educators Association joined with seven UMD student organization to organize a campus-wide Get Out the Vote campaign. The student groups participating are Student Association, Student Legislative Coalition, MPIRG, College Democrats, College Republicans, Honors Student Association, and a state wide youth vote campaign called “Get Up Minnesota." The Office of Civic Engagement coordination has pulled together the voices of UMD student groups on this issue. Making Important Decisions Keeping Momentum UMD has a history of high voter turnout. In 2004 the polling places at UMD and the surrounding area, indicated an 88% student voter turnout, the highest in the nation. Duluth has had the highest youth voter turnout in Minnesota in the past two elections. In 2006 in Minnesota, 43 percent of 18-29 year olds voted compared to 25% in the U.S.
Registering to Vote is Still an Option Both de Meireles and Wick want student to know they still have the opportunity to vote on election day, even if they missed early registration. In Minnesota, to register at a polling location on election day, residents must provide proof of residency, complete a voter registration application, and sign an oath stating that they are eligible to vote in the precinct. “Your roommate or another registered voter can vouch for you,” said de Meireles. The polling location for students living in the residence halls and on-campus apartments is the Kirby Ballroom. To vote, students only need to bring their Ucard to show proof of residency. Off-campus students will need to look up their polling location. (See the links below for more information on registering and polling places.) “The real message is that the student voice is important. It is critically important in this election to vote,” said de Meireles. “Students may not pay taxes now, but they will in three or four years.” Contacts for "Get Up Minnesota":
Written by Katherine McQuarter and Cheryl Reitan UMD home page editor, Cheryl Reitan, creitan@d.umn.edu |
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