Tuesday, November 3, 1998
Volunteers make most of participation in elections
BALLOTS: Students take time to register voters, work at polling
centers
By Karla Y. Pleitez
Daily Bruin Contributor
Many Bruins are going a step beyond their civic duty of voting
today and are becoming active participants in the political
arena.
Joe Flores, a third-year political science student, is among
them, acting as a student worker at the polls in the San Fernando
Valley. He has helped register voters, set up polling places and
taught those who need assistance how to fill out their ballots.
"It’s nice to know you are doing your part, but the best feeling
is knowing that you are helping your community voice their
opinions," Flores said.
Bill Jones, the Republican secretary of state running for
re-election, is a strong advocate of getting students to
participate more in politics by registering them to vote.
"Jones says students need to be louder in politics  they
should be animated to get involved because they truly have a strong
impact," said Charles Gallagher, Jones’s deputy campaign
manager.
Moreover, new California legislation allows high school seniors
to work as clerks at the California polls. 204 students in L. A.
County helped out with June 1998 primary election.
One hundred and six high schools will participate in this
program for the 1998 general election.
"It’s terrific that students know the importance of voting, but
students also need to take the initiative to become active
participants of the American political society," Flores said.
Many organizations on campus share Flores’s beliefs.
"Involvement in politics and voting is the key to voicing the
wants of our communities," said Henry Perez, the chair of
Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano/a de Aztlán (MEChA).
MEChA, a non-partisan organization, educates youth on how to be
politically active. MEChA also addresses under-represented
communities on the importance of voting.
"Students need to understand that it is crucial to get involved,
because decisions are constantly being made by an elite few that
are not in touch with our communities," Perez said. "We need to be
well-informed and educated on these issues so we can fight back
when there is an attack."
Attempts to register and educate voters are top priorities for
Democrats and Republicans alike. Jones has even sent out out
birthday cards to 18-year-olds with a voter registration
application.
"Students have a significant influence in politics. It is a
well-known fact that those candidates that are supported by college
students have higher chances of winning," said Gallagher.
The Bruin Democrats understand this and know how important they
are to the campaigns of democratic candidates.
"At first Davis was behind, but 100 Bruin Democrat volunteers
campaigned for him. I think this is one of the reasons his polls
went up," said Tim Bradley, a Bruin Democrat.
Despite the efforts of these groups to get students to become
politically involved there are some who remain unregistered and
indifferent to voting.
"I don’t bother to register because my vote is not going to make
any difference. I guess when something really gets me fired up I
will get involved but I think voting is a waste of time," said
Michael Collins a second-year undeclared student.
Still, there are those who admire the efforts of politically
involved college students.
"It is terrific that students who have the passion to get
involved can actually make a difference. I definitely look up to
them for their devotion and optimism in our country," said Susan
Klein, a first-year political science student.
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