Students Register for Local Election
Tess Martin, a 20-year-old year in school instead of ‘student’ from Raleigh, is registering to vote.
Not in her local election, but in the Greenville City Council elections.
“I am registering to vote in Greenville this year because I live in a house in downtown Greenville,” Martin said.
David P. Davis, deputy director of the Pitt County Board of Elections, is seeing a trend in college students registering to vote in Greenville this year.
“As far as the poll workers tell us, college students have been registering in high numbers,” Davis said.
Chip Little, a candidate for mayor, is also seeing a trend in college students registering to vote as he speaks to different student organizations on campus.
“I know that several student organizations have sponsored on-campus registration drives and have had a large turnout. I have also been asked to speak with various student organizations, and many of the students have been eager to get involved and register,” said Little.
In past local elections, college students have not been as involved.
“Only 12 people ages 18 to 22 voted in the District 3 race in 2005. And District 3 encompasses a large part of the ECU campus,” said Little.
College students make up a large percentage of eligible voters in Greenville, and candidates believe that students need to be involved in who represents them while they are here.
“I think it is everyone’s responsibility to vote. As students, you are part of the city of Greenville and should be able to have a voice in who represents you while you are here,” said Little.
Students who live in the residential area of downtown Greenville surrounding the ECU campus are especially being encouraged to vote because there are specific issues that will affect them while they live here.
“One of the No. 1 issues that students should be concerned about is safety. Students and their houses are targets for the criminals,” said Little.
Safety and security are important issues to Amber Annab, a student at ECU.
“As someone who lives in the downtown area, I know that I am going to vote, because I want to feel safe where I live, and I want candidates to represent me that are going to work with the city and whatever authorities to ensure my safety,” she said.
The polls open for the election Nov. 2 and will remain open to voters through Nov. 18. The deadline to register to vote has passed, and now students eagerly wait to make their voice heard.
“I am excited to vote for the first time and to vote in this local election for Greenville City Council. I also look forward to voting next year in the presidential election,” said Martin.
Sources:
Tess Martin
David P. Davis
Chip Little
Amber Annab
Filed under: Hard News