It's hard not to admire the students working for Princeton Votes. Seeing a record of abysmal student election turnout, the group has stepped in to get Princeton students registered and get them to the polls. A partnership between USG, the College Democrats and the College Republicans, it is seeking to register new voters and get Princeton students to switch their registration to New Jersey and take a bigger interest in borough affairs.
The group's efforts take place in the wake of one of the worst showings among college-age voters in 2000. But according to a front-page New York Times article yesterday, interest among voters 18 to 21 years old is near an all-time high.
Evan Baehr, the president of the College Republicans and one of the group's leaders, says the group has had a good response from students and administrators, and that it hopes to turn out about 1,500 students on Election Day. And while Princeton Votes will be providing absentee ballot information, Baehr hopes students will consider registering in New Jersey.
Only the naïve would think that potential benefits to Baehr's own campaign hadn't crossed his mind, but he gives some good reasons to change. Absentee ballots, unlike college applications, are counted based on their arrival date, not the postmark date. Given all the time it takes for mail to get from here to anywhere, it's definitely something to think about. Remembering to vote on Election Day when millions of other Americans head to the polls is easier than remembering to get the absentee ballot.
But there are also good reasons not to register here, and students should think about those before making a move.
Where do your interests lie? If you are from Texas, and you want to stay in Texas for the rest of your life, you'll probably want to keep your registration in Texas so you have a say in what happens there.
Is your state a swing state? Though some may deplore having strategy play a part in deciding where to register, people do it, and it's worth considering. Because the Electoral College, whose deficiencies merit a column of their own, your vote for president isn't worth the same everywhere. New Mexico's five electoral votes were won by a mere 366 votes in 2000. New Jersey's 15 electoral votes have gone to a Democrat the last three elections, and polls show John Kerry holding onto the lead, though it is narrowing. At this point, the Times puts the state as "Leaning Democrat": not a swing state, but not locked up for Kerry either.
What's on the ballot in your home state? For me, the answer is everything. North Carolina has a U.S. Senate seat up for grabs in a race that's a tossup between Democrat Erskine Bowles, the last of Bill Clinton's chiefs of staff, and Republican Richard Burr, a five-term U.S. representative. The governor's running for reelection, and the ballot also shows Charlotte's mayor, the city council, the county commission, several state constitutional amendments, a few bond packages, a slew of judges and the all-important soil and water conservation district supervisor.
New Jersey, on the other hand, has no state-level races. This area's U.S. House seat belongs to Democrat Rush Holt, who is all but assured another term. The race most likely to interest students is Baehr's run for Borough Council.
How much does having a student on Borough Council matter to you? Baehr says he would act as a liaison between the University community and the council on issues ranging from alcohol to the University's yearly payments to the Borough. Neither Republicans nor students have fared well in the past. Whether or not he has a chance to win depends largely on if students register here.
And the final practical matter: Will you remember to send in an absentee ballot? If not, registering here is a good idea.
Because running elections is delegated to the states by the Constitution, students should check on their local laws before making a decision about where to vote. A trusted source for information on voting regulations and the candidates is the nonpartisan League of Women Voters. Its web site is www.lwv.org.
As for me, unless Baehr provides a very compelling case for his candidacy, I'll be voting absentee. But whatever you decide, educate yourself and vote. Not only is it the least you can do for your country; it's in your interest.
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