Although young voters are being urged to cast their ballot onNov. 2, the University is not planning to make voting any easierfor students, but has made it acceptable for employees to leavework to vote.
According to the University policy statement, PM-20, “Universityemployees whose scheduled workday is between the hours of 7:30 a.m.and 5 p.m. on an election day, and who are unable to vote prior toor after their workday may be allowed, upon request of the employeeand approval of the department head, time off with pay forvoting.”
The policy statement says the amount of time allowed foremployees to vote is based on the distance of their votingresidence. For example, a 0 to 30 mile radius is allowed two hours,a 31 to 60 mile radius is allowed four hours and a 61 or greatermile radius is allowed the day off.
But University students are not allowed an excused absence tovote, nor has the University made Nov. 2 a holiday.
Janie Frickie, director of Human Resources Management for theUniversity, said it was her interpretation that because studentshave more flexible schedules, local students are expected to beable to get to the polls sometime during Election Day, and studentswho are from out of town have had the opportunity to voteabsentee.
Frickie also pointed out that most faculty and staff are notgiven all of Election Day off, but rather are given a certainamount of time off during the day to go vote.
Scott Madere, press secretary for the Secretary of State, saidthe state has no control over the University’s decision whether ornot to give students Election Day off.
Madere said it would be beneficial for the University to havethe day off to increase voter turnout. But, he said students mightjust enjoy another holiday, so having the day off may not make adifference.
Ben Davis, a history and political science senior, said he plansto drive two hours away to vote in his precinct. He said theUniversity makes it inconvenient for students who are from othercities to vote.
Jessica Stewart, a political science senior and co-director oflegislative affairs for Student Government, said she thinks havingclasses cancelled on Nov. 2 is a good idea.
Stewart said she does not know if having the day off wouldincrease the number of college voters, but she does think it issomething SG should investigate.
Emily Rowley, an international studies sophomore, said she hasto drive across town to vote. Although she does not plan onskipping class to vote, she said she would skip class if neededbecause she feels voting is more important than class.
Lindsey Wright, a mass communication junior, said she alreadyvoted absentee. She said she is not too concerned about having theday off because she planned ahead.
Madere said students have other options for voting withouthaving the day off. He said the polls are open from 6 a.m. until 8p.m., which would give students plenty of time between classes tovote. Also, he said students can vote absentee or register to votein East Baton Rouge Parish for future elections.
Brandon Foster, a psychology sophomore, said he plans to voteabsentee because he is not from Louisiana. Since there arealternative ways to vote, he said he does not care that theUniversity does not give students the day off.
Stewart said the polls are open for 14 hours so students shouldnot have too much trouble voting.
Kenyetta Reid, a kinesiology sophomore, agreed with Stewart. Shesaid she switched her registration to vote in East Baton RougeParish and does not plan on missing class to vote because the pollsare open all day.