For many intended voters, it's perfectly clear who the next president of the United States should be. Focusing on their preferred candidates' position on issues they hold dear, they will make their way to the polls on Tuesday with confidence.
Those citizens who fall in the undecided voter bracket might find Election Day's imminent approach to be more anxiety inducing then confidence stirring.
Each party does their best to sway voters to their side with persuasive arguments for their political, social and economic stances. The two front-runners, Democratic candidate Senator John Kerry and President George W. Bush, the Republican Party candidate, use their Web sites as party information mediums.
"The Web sites seem to be the best way to get information about the candidates," said Robert Olsen, a sophomore aerospace engineering major.
Olsen said the Web sites are informative, although learning more about each candidate's position adds to his indecision.
"Bush makes one good point," said Olsen. "But then Kerry turns around and makes a good point too. It's confusing."
The Republican and Democratic candidates made a live bid for national votes during the debates in October. The first debate focused on domestic policy, the second debate was held like a town meeting, where citizens were able to question the candidates about their beliefs and policies, the third debate focused on foreign policy.
For many, this was another opportunity to get more familiar with the candidates and their positions on important issues.
"Before the debates I thought I was definitely Republican," said Dawn Shaffer, a Buffalo resident. "Now I may have changed my mind."
For those voters who weren't impressed by either of the arguments presented by the candidates involved in the debate, one of the Third Party nominees that has made his way onto the ballot might be a suitable alternative.
Ralph Nader and Peter Camejo are the presidential and vice presidential nominees for the Independent/Reform Party; Michael Badnarik and Richard Campagna represent the Libertarian Party; David Cobb and Pat LaMarche represent the Green Party; Michael Peroutka and Chuck Baldwin represent the Constitution Party; and Roger Calero and Arrin Hawkins are on the Socialist Workers Party.
Andy Leonard, a junior mechanical engineering major, said he was most impressed by a Third Party candidate.
"Nader is the only candidate who stands up for a non-corporate governed United States," he said of why his vote will go to Nader.
For those citizens who are not swayed by any of the parties, and are considering forsaking the voting process altogether, some warn that a non-vote is a national detriment.
"Not voting jeopardizes everyone's future," said professor Walter Koch, a political science instructor. "Decisions made now have important consequences down the road."
Koch suggests that people become informed about the candidates through non-partisan sources, like one of his favorites, the National Public Radio's Web site at www.npr.org/politics/issues2004.
Unsure voters might benefit from utilizing some of UB's own resources by paying a visit to a section of the UB Libraries Web site dedicated to information about the election, at ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/vote/Election-2004.
Some undecided voters who aren't particularly sold on any candidate might end up simply voting for the party with which they have always been affiliated.
Political science professor Charles Finocchiaro said this is not unusual.
"Voters see the elections through a party filter," said Finocchiaro. "But that filter exists because of underlying preferences and beliefs."
Whatever the undecided voters' methods for weeding out the undesirables, some believe they should kick their decision making process into high gear as Election Day draws nearer.
"There is no excuse not to get enough information to make a decision," said Shaffer. "There will always be one who seems slightly better to you than another."
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
