With elections approaching, voter registration is an issue of primary concern for students and community members alike. Campus administrators, the student government and other Stony Brook organizations are actively encouraging students to voice their choice and vote, but stress that they must register first.
‘Sometimes the challenge for students is that they say ‘it doesn’t affect me,” said Ronnie Paschkes, associate dean of students at Stony Brook University. ‘But it does. It’s your future.’
The university administration has placed information displays in the Student Activity Center lobby to give students easy access to’ the candidates’ views on various issues.
‘For a lot of our students, it’s the first time they’re in a voting booth,’ Paschkes said. ‘They don’t know what to expect.”
New York Public Interest Research Group is also organizing a ‘meet and greet’ event for the general elections in November. On Wednesday, Oct. 8, students can go to the Union Ballroom between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. to hear the candidates speak about their political activity and stands on current issues.’ NYPIRG set up a voter registration table during Monday’s volunteer fair.
‘This year, we’re doing a bigger campaign than we normally do, because there is a presidential primary in March,’ Morhan said. NYPIRG has been visiting residence halls and knocking on students’ doors to encourage them to vote, and has spoken at several club meetings and classrooms.
The University Student Government is also organizing efforts to raise awareness around campus about voting and voter registration.’ Rosario Minier, the sophomore representative of USG, said, ‘This year, we are sending out forms and flyers to RAs in residence halls.’ USG is also posting flyers in commuter lounges around campus to encourage off-campus students as well.
‘We’re trying to announce it at all our events,’ said Sandy Curtis, president of the undergraduate student body. ‘You can’t complain if you’re not proactive.’
In order to become “proactive,” students must register to vote before Oct. 10. Resident students who wish to vote in the SAC lobby can register at several locations on campus. Commuters,however,’ must register at their home site.
Students can register online at www.rockthevote.com.’ Resident students can also pick upNew YorkStatevoter registration forms at the office of the Undergraduate Student Government, SAC 222, or the NYPIRG office in the Student Union, room 079.
‘It’s just so important for students,’ Paschkes said. ‘It’s a privilege that we can vote.’
