Deadline looms for Nov. election

The Oct. 7th deadline to register to vote in the upcoming Nov. 5 elections is fast approaching, and if past statistics are repeated, it is not likely that more than 30 percent of people under 24 will vote.\nLawrence J. Hanks, an associate political science professor, said elections are a critical component of democracy that should not be ignored.\n"Voting is one of the major features which make democracy work. It is essentially the voice of the people. It is how we decide who will decide," he said. \nHanks added that young people in particular need to start voting in larger numbers.\n"If students organize and become a powerful force, like the senior citizens, politicians will pay attention to any issue they deem important," he said.\nIn the upcoming election, Indiana voters will have the opportunity to elect nine U.S. Representatives to Congress, a Secretary of State, a State Treasurer, half the State Senate and the entire Indiana House of Representatives. Additionally, a large number of judges, clerks and commissioners are up for election in every county of Indiana. \nHanks said there are also many important national decisions to be made this November. For example in North Carolina, Elizabeth Dole, the wife of 1996 presidential candidate Bob Dole is hoping to replace retiring Jesse Helms. And in Texas, Ron Kirk, the former mayor of Dallas is attempting to become the third ever black senator. He's challenging for the seat being vacated by retiring Phil Gramm.\nScott Norman, a sophomore minoring in political science, said he thinks voting is an important responsibility for all citizens. \n"Voting is projecting your voice," Norman said. "Elections give us the opportunity to express our thoughts and choose the candidate, platform, etc. that will best carry out our beliefs."\nThe deadline to register for this November's election is Oct. 7. \nHarlan Brooher, the county's deputy registrar of voting, said it is not difficult to register or vote in Bloomington. \nIn addition to being registered on time, to be eligible, you must be at least 18 years of age, not in prison, a citizen of the United States and you must have lived in the precinct in which you will be voting for at least 29 days prior to voting. \nStudents can register to vote in a variety of places -- there are people stationed at the Justice Building at City Hall, 401 N. Morton St., or at the Bloomington License Branch, 118 S. Rogers St. Brooher also said more voting information is availabe by calling the Deputy Registrar at 349-2690.