Wednesday, November 1, 2000
Contact: Peter Bailley
news@knox.edu
309-341-7715
If voter registration is any indication, Knox College students are dispelling the myth that young adults are apathetic about politics. After a series of registration drives on campus this fall, nearly all Knox students who were not already registered at their hometowns are registered to vote in Galesburg. Knox will also provide transportation to polling places on election day, Nov. 7.
The registration initiative was coordinated by Brian Gawor, Assistant Director of Residential Learning.
"In my opinion, participation in our democratic system, in some form or another, is an important aspect of a liberal arts education. Students may do this through issues advocacy, advocacy for candidates, or by voting. We're happy to see all these things happening at Knox, and provide support where we can." Gawor said.
"Many of the students chose to register locally because it is the easiest way for them to vote, and many are interested in the presidential election. Several states have laws that ask a voter to be present at one election in person before they can vote in an election via absentee ballot, so this is not an option for students who will be voting for the first time this Fall."
"Quite a few students secured absentee ballots prior to coming to campus this fall, but some didn't really think about the issue of voting until we met them during Fall course registration."
"Knox College really has taken on this project in a big way," said Xavier Romano, Dean of Students. According to Gawor, colleges and universities were required by state law to distribute voter registration information, but Knox took the initiative when state-supplied materials didn't arrive in time.
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« Participation in democracy is important in education and we want to provide support wherever we can. » |
"The Galesburg City Election Office was extremely helpful in accommodating us and providing assistance," Gawor said.
"Students who take an interest in local and regional elections help Knox keep the attention of local politicians as a campus," Gawor said. There are a number of ballot issues that students have shown interest in, he said, including the race between Don Moffitt and Josh Watson for Illinois state representative; the Congressional contest between Mark Baker and Lane Evans; and the telecommunication bond issue referendum in the city of Galesburg.
Student residences at Knox fall mainly into Galesburg's first and 26th precincts. "I expect students will make up nearly half of the eligible voters in the first precinct," Gawor said.
"We'll also be providing transportation to the polling places on election day,"Gawor said. "Our 'voter' vans will be kind of novel, with refreshments and patriotic decorations. This demographic, as voting studies show, is a little difficult to get to the polls. Whatever we can do to help, we're happy to do."
Founded in 1837, Knox is an independent, four-year, liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, with 1,220 students from 47 states and 41 nations. Knox's "Old Main," a National Historic Landmark, is the only building remaining from the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates.
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Writer: Jen Maceyko
This news release: http://www.knox.edu/x160.xml2001/Voter_Registration.html
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