By C.G. Lynch
With bipartisan groups across the United States spending close to $40 million in get-out-the-vote efforts during this campaign season, student political leaders at Northeastern from both parties have joined together to ensure a high voter turnout in November..
Two of the leaders most actively involved are Heidi Buchanan and Annabelle Guerra, a Democrat and a Republican, respectively, who have begun engaging incoming freshmen in the political process.
“What we are trying to get through is the importance of voting, especially in this election,” said Guerra, head of Northeastern’s College Republicans. “This is about our future.”
Buchanan, who has spearheaded NU Students for Kerry and the College Democrats, echoed Guerra’s comments, stressing the importance of get-out-the-vote efforts, regardless of partisanship.
“It’s our duty to go vote,” Buchanan said. “We are trying to get people to know what’s at stake in this election.”
Most recently, as freshmen moved on campus, Guerra and Buchanan held an ice cream social, helping approximately 40 freshmen register for November.
In addition, they have distributed voting flyers and have announced a get-out-the-vote event on Sept. 27, at which time various organizations around campus will come together in an open forum to discuss pressing issues in the election.
The event is scheduled to take place at the McLeod Suites in the Curry Student Center, Guerra said. More announcements will be made as the event draws closer.
For ages 18-24, voting turnout has been staggeringly low in past years. According to U.S. Census Data taken during the 2000 presidential election, 12,122,000 of that age bracket reported they were registered to vote. Of that number, 8,635,000 reported they actually went to the polls and voted.
Around campus, many students expressed an interest in voting, but acknowledged that turnout for their age group tends to be meager.
The generation gap between students and the candidates, coupled with a general rift on key issues, was cited as part of the problem.
“The candidates don’t represent the views of the 18-24 range,” said Brian Lind-enbaum, 18, a freshman from Westchester, N.Y., who noted the rigidity of the two party system. “People think their vote will get wasted if they vote for the Green Party [or any alternative party].”
