As next month's elections draw near, the heat is beginning to turn up on Steven Abt '04's run for Princeton Borough Council. The USG, as it does each year, is running a voter registration drive. But this year, there is an added motivation — students have the chance to vote for one of their own.
Volunteers have been running voter registration tables during meal times at each of the dining halls and at the Frist Campus Center, according to Josh Anderson '04, the executive committee member of the U-Council.
And while the USG cannot endorse any individual candidate, "USG officials are interested in getting people to register regardless of who they vote for," Anderson said.
As students pass by the tables, most are not interested in registering to vote in the borough until the key phrases "Alcohol Ordinance" and "the 'Street'" are mentioned. Students manning the tables have been informing their peers about "what's at stake in terms of the continuing viability of the eating clubs," Anderson said.
Abt said the real issue is "getting our voice heard, because right now we are being completely ignored."
Anderson said that approximately 300 students have registered to vote since the registration drive began at the student activities fair — the registration forms filled out so far will be counted tonight. The USG's goal is to have 750 students register by Tuesday, the deadline for registering to vote in this election, which will take place on Nov. 6.
The USG may also begin "door-knocking" on Friday if its goal is not met.
Campus and Community Affairs chair Nina Langsam '03 said Abt "could definitely win." Even "half a class" could determine the outcome of a Borough Council election — normally split by about 400 votes. She added, "We could completely overwhelm the election if everybody registered."
Abt said he will be going to the eating clubs this week to encourage students to register and vote for him. In addition, he will be seeking the Princeton Packet's endorsement later this week.
The eligibility to vote in the Borough is the same as for any other U.S. election. However, residents of Scully, most of Butler and part of Forbes are not eligible, because they are located outside of the Borough's borders.
Abt participated in a discussion on Monday night held by the American Whig-Cliosophic Society on the proposed alcohol ordinance, which he opposes. If passed, the ordinance would allow police officers to cite students for underage drinking on private property — including the eating clubs — if the officers were already there for another reason.
"It'll drive students to more dangerous forms of drinking, like binge drinking in their rooms," Abt said.
Borough Mayor Marvin Reed and Borough Police Chief Charles Davall were also present at the discussion. "[Reed] was trying to discuss the mater of the ordinance without saying that he thinks we need it," Abt said.
On election day, Langsam said she hopes students will be "defending their rights as Princeton students and protecting our social lives."
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