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The Battalion
Page 3 • Monday, November 4, 2002
To vote, or not to vote
As Election Day 2002 approaches, students face pressure to vote
By Kelcey Rieger
THE BATTALION
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Texans all over the state
II be heading to the polls to vote. While some
lexasA&M students prefer not to participate in
lection Day, others will be casting ballots.
JaySlovacek, a senior journalism major, said
ie will cast his vote in the upcoming election.
“Sadly, my motivation for voting isn't to vote
the good guys, but keep out politicians who
ire excessively self-serving,” Slovacek said. ”1
hink more people voting would assure politi-
iansof their status and result in less ‘politiciz-
ng’ of issues.”
Slovacek considers himself lucky because he
originally from Bryan and therefore is regis-
idets Mills said"fi ere( ito vote in Brazos County. Many students do
Early
.Voting
quake of 7,9
itude rods
Dr Alaska
RACE, Alaska (AP)
arthquake rocte
>opulated areaofrc-
a early Sunday s
jcking highways
ocking over fueltrc
ng rural homes,
lot have this convenience, which might be the
eason politicians fail to take the student vote
iriously, said Slovacek.
“Candidates always ignore students ” Slovacek
id. “I’ve heard student voters called ‘gypsy vot-
rs'byone well-known politician. (The term
'gypsy voters’) means that students can be great
or elections as cheap and free manpower, but can-
iidates couldn't rely on students for votes since
nany students are from out of state or unreliable.”
Lacy Dolsen, a junior political science major,
snot voting in this election because he is regis-
ered in his hometown of San Antonio.
“Not only do I have to make the trip to San
Antonio, but 1 don’t think I am directly affected
) miles s
was strongly fdl
about 270 mite
It hit at 1:13
rd 1
of Alaska ii
Earning Center
arthquake ii
>ka felt in 3
stern states
;nitude 7.9quake.:' jy the politicians and the decisions they make,”
)olsen said. “Plus, I don’t think 1 will be in
ollege Station long enough to see the effects of
urrent legislation.”
t j j r M he decided not to go to the trouble
aS, ^ ma kmg the trip home, Dolsen said he still
hinks it is important for students to vote.
“Some of us will graduate and be looking for
|obs within their tenure,” Dolsen said. “We will
toe to deal with their policies as individual
adults. It is a constitutional privilege to be given
a voice in government, so if you feel it is neces-
Neb. (AP) - lijmiT s
centered nff’l
sary to vote, by all means, vote.”
Political groups around campus, such as the
College Republicans and Aggie Democrats are
trying to find ways not only to encourage stu
dents to vote, but draw attention to students and
let their voice be heard.
Jessica Berkey, a junior political science
major and chairman for the College Republicans,
said many political candidates do not take stu
dent votes seriously.
“Many candidates tend to discount the student
voice because it tends to be fairly apathetic ”
Berkey said. “The student body needs to know
that its voice does matter and that people in Austin
and Washington care about their opinions.”
JP BEATO • THE BATTALION
Berkey said the College Republicans has been
busy, not only with encouraging voter registra
tion and working turnout drives, but also with
making appearances on the campaign trail with
candidates such as John Cornyn, Rick Perry, and
Jeb Hebsarling.
“We have brought many candidates to campus
to encourage student involvement in the elec
tions ” Berkey said. “We have tailgate parties and
rallies with the candidates so students have a
chance to hear what the candidates have to say.”
Berkey addressed issues being debated in the
current election that may be of importance to
A&M students.
“Gov. Perry is working on legislation that
would provide funding to encourage first-genera
tion college students to attend the university of
their choice and also help fund more scholarships
for deserving high school and college students,”
Berkey said.
The Aggie Democrats said there are issues
that concern college students that candidates
such as Tony Sanchez and John Sharp have
addressed in their campaigns.
“Sanchez and Sharp have both made a pledge
to stop any further tuition hikes at our public uni
versities,” said Jonathan Steed, a junior political
science major and president of Aggie Democrats.
Steed said the Aggie Democrats has been
working to publicize the elections and candidates
around College Station. Steed said the Aggie .
Democrats have participated in two campus
debates, helped block walk in Bryan-College
Station’s Democratic precincts, worked at the
phone bank to call voters and have assisted the
party in putting candidates’ signs up around town.
“It is very important that college students
exercise their right to vote in this election,” Steed
said. “Many policies and pieces of legislation
over the next few years will directly affect our
future. If you don't vote, you don’t have the right
to complain.”
Judge John Boyett, who has served as College
Station’s Justice of the Peace for 14 years, said stu
dents should take advantage of being able to vote.
“Voting is more than just marking a ballot,”
Boyett said. “It requires thought and research to
truly make your vote count and vote intelligently.”
Boyett is running for the office of Justice of
the Peace against two other candidates who are
currently students at Texas A&M.
Boyett said it is important for students to
think about how a political office affects their
everyday lives. He said the office of Justice of
the Peace includes handling day-to-day traffic
violations, truancy violations, and evictions of
College Station - issues students need to consid
er when voting.
“Aggies need to vote, and if possible, vote
early,” he said. “Your vote does count.”
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5-2696. For
;Donald, and o
&M student to
Mail subscnpti 0 J*
he summer o
call 845-261T
everybody LOOKS GOOD AT P.O.E.T.S
696-3351 1637 S. Texas Avenue (Culpepper Plaza)
Open 7 Days a Week 4-1 am
• 23 Different beers on tap
• 25 Brunswick Pro 8 Tables
• 1/2 Price Pool 4-7 p.m., everyday!
Never a Cover Charge
MONDAY
“Sports Night”
Come watch the game on the Big Screen
TUESDAY
“Karaoke Night”
$ |.50 Domestic Longnecks til 10:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
“9 Ball Tourney”
*2.00 Domestic Pints
THURSDAY
“Open Mic Night”
’2.00 Flavored Martinis & Cosmopolitans til 10:00 p.m.
SUNDAY
Tina & Amanda’s Mixing Experimentation Night
Restaurant Appreciation Night
(Free Pool with pay stub)
$ 2.00 Domestic Pints *2.00 Domestic Wells
8 Ball Tourneys beginning at 8:30 p.m.
<k
Wednesday November 6th at 7:30pm
Rudder Auditorium
Great Seats still Available
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$15 Texas A&M Students w/current ID
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For information call 845-1234
Please inform us of your special needs m 845-1515