A recent poll suggests voting in the up-coming presidentialelection is not high on the priority lists of students.
The Leon and Sylvia Panetta Institute concluded that only 35percent of college students surveyed think voting in the up-comingpresidential election will bring “a lot of change” to thecountry.
The Panette Institute, a non-partisan public-policy think tankat California State University in Monterey Bay, surveyed 800students at four-year colleges and universities throughout thecountry.
Although the information may be disheartening, many think thenumbers are accurate and reflect a similar sentiment held atLSU.
Robert Hogan, an assistant professor of political science, saidif the University conducted a similar poll, results would be aboutthe same.
Many voters feel there is a lack of major differences betweenAmerica’s two main parties, Hogan said.
“On a lot of issues, there aren’t major differences,” he said.”If there were major differences in candidates and parties, wewould see a bigger turnout.”
Hogan said after the close presidential race in 2000, somepeople thought the general population would understand therelevancy of their one vote, but he doubts Americans will make anysignificant changes in their voting behavior.
The survey also found that only 19 percent of students findpolitics “very relevant” to their lives — an issue StudentGovernment wants to put in the forefront of their agenda thisupcoming year.
Michelle Gieg, a mass communication junior and StudentGovernment Legislative Affairs chairperson, said Student Governmentwill be working on several voter registration initiatives to getstudents involved in politics.
Gieg said she also feels that a similar poll here would producethe same results, but that apathy toward politics is not justlimited to students.
“I don’t think those numbers would be different with the wholepopulation,” Gieg said. “People are disillusioned with politicalpractices, and students are the same.”
But Gieg wants to use her position in SG to change the waystudents view politics.
One of Gieg’s main concerns is getting students to register inEast Baton Rouge Parish, and showing them why they should careabout local politics.
“The roads [students] drive on, the bars they go to, allinvolves local politics,” Gieg said.
Gieg said she wants students to register for the September 18Metropolitan Council election.
“No, we don’t own houses and we don’t pay property tax, but infive or six years, we will,” Gieg said. “This is important for thefuture.”
Gieg also said if students live on campus and have a P.O. Box,they can register to vote in East Baton Rouge Parish.
But even if student do not register locally, Gieg said she isworking on making it possible for students to pick up absenteeballots in a central location for the presidential election inNovember.
“It’s so easy to vote; it’s so easy to get involved,” Gieg said.”We just want to provide students with the first steps to getinvolved.”