Spring Break
Election virgins
Students excited to vote for the very first time
Lidia Ryan
Issue date: 11/3/08 Section: Election Special
Dautrich said many young people voted in the primaries, but interest may have declined.
Dautrich said he has noticed that, in his public policy class this year, students are more vocal about politics.
"There is much more interest and participation," he said. "Students are much more willing to say what they support than they have been in the past."
Miller said she has noticed that because they are surrounded by people with similar beliefs, students who are part of the UConn College Republicans voice their opinions about the election more than those who are not politically involved.
"Most people draw the line at just saying who they are voting for," Miller said. "People keep quiet, especially if they are Republicans on a liberal campus."
Ladewig and Dautrich both said they believe students are well-informed on the issues. For many students, the biggest issue is the economy because they are concerned that there will not be jobs available when they graduate.
"Where the economy is right now will affect our future, so it needs to be fixed soon," said Alyssa Kane, a 5th-semester English major.
Miller is also concerned with fixing economic problems.
"As a graduating senior, I am concerned, of course, about finding a job and keeping one," she said.
UConn PIRG registers students to vote every year. But PIRG member Ryan Morris, a 1st-semester political science major, said that because there is a presidential election this year, students are more eager to register.
Morris said going door-to-door to register people is usually successful because many students want to register, but don't have time to go to town hall. It is convenient to be able to register it right in their dorm rooms, he said. Morris said he has only encountered one or two people who did not want to register.
"Some people are too lazy," he said.
Two other groups that recruit students to vote are the UConn College Democrats and the UConn College Republicans. Both groups have been setting up tables around campus where students can register. They will also be busing people to the Mansfield Community Center to vote tomorrow.
Dautrich said he has noticed that, in his public policy class this year, students are more vocal about politics.
"There is much more interest and participation," he said. "Students are much more willing to say what they support than they have been in the past."
Miller said she has noticed that because they are surrounded by people with similar beliefs, students who are part of the UConn College Republicans voice their opinions about the election more than those who are not politically involved.
"Most people draw the line at just saying who they are voting for," Miller said. "People keep quiet, especially if they are Republicans on a liberal campus."
Ladewig and Dautrich both said they believe students are well-informed on the issues. For many students, the biggest issue is the economy because they are concerned that there will not be jobs available when they graduate.
"Where the economy is right now will affect our future, so it needs to be fixed soon," said Alyssa Kane, a 5th-semester English major.
Miller is also concerned with fixing economic problems.
"As a graduating senior, I am concerned, of course, about finding a job and keeping one," she said.
UConn PIRG registers students to vote every year. But PIRG member Ryan Morris, a 1st-semester political science major, said that because there is a presidential election this year, students are more eager to register.
Morris said going door-to-door to register people is usually successful because many students want to register, but don't have time to go to town hall. It is convenient to be able to register it right in their dorm rooms, he said. Morris said he has only encountered one or two people who did not want to register.
"Some people are too lazy," he said.
Two other groups that recruit students to vote are the UConn College Democrats and the UConn College Republicans. Both groups have been setting up tables around campus where students can register. They will also be busing people to the Mansfield Community Center to vote tomorrow.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
allan costa
posted 11/04/08 @ 6:49 AM EST
allan costa is a vile disgrace to the human race. he is homophobic and a pothead, things he has openly said on a HuskyCT class discussion board. I, for one, am pretty happy he doesn't normally get to be heard, although given I've heard more of him than I'd like to in a lifetime, I think he's wrong. (Continued…)
Accredited Degree
posted 2/28/09 @ 1:06 AM EST
Guys by your votes you really change the direction the country.
Online Certificate Program
posted 10/05/09 @ 5:20 PM EST
I think the Obama election galvanized many youths that in normal times would not have voted.
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