After voting polls in Erie County closed in November 2002, college-aged individuals made up the least-represented demographic. Some said this apparent lack of interest by college students gives rise to under representation in political decisions that may affect the university.
During the election, students who are U.S. citizens and above 18 years of age had the chance to vote for seats on the New York State Senate and Assembly, governor, lieutenant governor, comptroller, attorney general, and Erie County Court and Family Court judge.
"The group that votes the most are senior citizens, and the group that votes the least are the 18- to 25-year-olds," said Gary Syposs, assistant deputy commissioner at the Erie County Board of Elections.
"The thing that frustrates me the most is the lack of participation from college students," he said.
Student Association Vice President Jennifer Brace attributed the poor turnout from the college-aged voter population to their distance from home.
"People in our age range are least registered to vote," said Brace, a senior business major. "I think a lot of students don't vote because they're not from here."
According to Syposs, when students do not vote, they allow politicians to ignore the concerns and needs of that demographic and focus, instead, on pleasing citizens who will vote for them.
"When the officials don't see 18- to 25-year-olds vote, it's easy to ignore what they have to say," Syposs said. "What politicians do is, they buy lists of voters from us and target those groups of people who vote."
Syposs said people should vote even if they are only interested in one political office or candidate.
"Go and vote for him or her so that it shows on our lists that an 18- to 25-year-old has voted," said Syposs.
Beth Del Genio, assistant vice provost for academic affairs, said students should ask themselves, "What type of responsibilities do we have as being a part of a democracy?"
"Our responsibilities are to be informed, to have an understanding, to be able to sit among diverse voices and determine how we're going to make meaningful contributions," Del Genio said. "Voting is a mechanism that embodies all of these things."
Despite the trend, Sara Mir, a freshman in the School of Dental Medicine, said she was definitely going to vote in this year's election.
"I'm now in the process of calling up the candidates and asking them how they stand on issues that concern me, like increasing financial aid to students who need it and increasing state aid to the schools in Buffalo who need it," said Mir.
-Compiled by Dena-Kay Martin
-Reported by Amil Sarfraz
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
