By Lana Lagomarsini
In an effort to win swing states, the Northeastern University College Democrats, a student-run political group, has started a campaign to register students on universal registrations, hoping to help students who live in swing states take advantage of the opportunity to push their states toward the blue side, said Jason Palitsch, president of the student organization.
“Some students’ votes will matter more in swing states,” Palitsch said.
When registering students to vote, group now uses a universal registration form instead of one strictly for Massachusetts, hoping students will vote in their home states and push swing states into blue territory, Palitsch said.
Massachusetts has voted Democratic in every election since 1988.
The NU Democrats want to ensure middle-ground states vote blue as well, Palitsch said.
Although members of the NU Democrats do not directly tell students where to vote, they will offer advice to any student who is not sure which is the better choice, Palitsch said.
“We want to give students the option to vote where it is most important and will have the biggest effect,” Palitsch said.
Michael Dukakis, a political science professor, said student involvement could help sway the election.
“The amount of student involvement this year is a terrific thing,” said Dukakis, who is a former democratic presidential candidate and was nominated for president in 1988. “If we can get students who live in the ‘battleground states’ to register at home, that counts a lot more. Our country needs fundamental change, but it will not be easy.”
Matt Burton, a freshman undecided major, said his vote will be of more use in his home state of New Jersey and therefore decided to register at home.
“While I’m confident both New Jersey and Massachusetts will go for my candidate of choice, New Jersey is a little [more uncertain],” Burton said.
The NU Democrats have been working with the Obama campaign and the Massachusetts Democratic party to sponsor events on campus and encourage students to get involved outside of campus, Palitsch said.
Josh Robin, former president of NU Democrats and political director, said the upcoming election will be a close one, which is why the organization is helping students register.
“We really believe strongly in the importance of engaging people in the political process,” Robin said.
The Northeastern University College Republicans are also finding ways for students to get involved. Adam Spang, president of the student group, said they are making calls for Republican nominee John McCain and trying to get local republicans elected.
“Although we are not taking on anything like the Northeastern Democrats, we are involved in NU Votes and will be setting up a registering booth at certain events,” Spang said.
The NU Democrats will help students request absentee ballots until Election Day to make sure every student who wants to vote has the opportunity, Palitsch said.
While Palitsch said the NU Democrats wants students to register at home, there is a silver lining. Those Democrats who register in Massachusetts can help swing local elections, which may be more contested than the presidential vote.
Gena Ricciardi, a sophomore psychology major, said it was important that students focus on more than the big picture.
“People should be registered to vote not only for national elections but for state elections and local elections as well,” Ricciardi said. “I just hope that people stick to their word and actually get out there.”
