We need On Campus Voting

The Monroe County Election Board will be meeting this week to consider whether to establish an early-voting site on campus. If the Board does not approve an on-campus site, the options for IU-Bloomington students during this historic Presidential election will be clear: hitch a ride to a location off campus, or simply don’t vote.

The IU-Bloomington Democrats and Republicans may not agree much about policy, but today we come together as Americans in support of an extended period of early voting on-campus. An on-campus site will encourage student participation and send an important message about civic engagement and our responsibilities as citizens.  

College students are a unique population that in many cases lack the resources that would make off-campus polling locations truly accessible. Studies show that individuals who start voting as soon as they reach 18, are more likely to become lifetime voters. This is a pivotal moment for many first-time voters on campus and the County Election Board has an opportunity to make a positive impact on our development as engaged participants in our democracy. Many often complain that students do not participate in government and are not interested in voting.  However, an on-campus early voting location will increase the opportunity for students to get involved.   

On-campus early voting sites are nothing new for Indiana - Purdue University and Indiana State University will both have sites on-campus this year. At ISU the county and university recognize of the importance of instilling in young people the ethic of political participation, and have decided to split of an early voting site on campus for the four weeks leading up to the election. IU students deserve to have this same opportunity.

Rose Byrne
Chapter Coordinator
Students for Barack Obama

Anna Strand
President
College Democrats

Chelsea Kane
Chairwoman
College Republicans

Justin Hill
Chairmen
Students for John McCain