By
Niusha Faghih
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Partisian, non-partisian booths aim to get UA students to
As the voter registration deadline nears, three booths on the UA Mall are making one last push in persuading students to participate in this year's elections.
The Green Party, the Young Democrats and a non-partisan group have one goal in mind - to get students registered to vote before next Tuesday.
These booths had an inconsistent number of students walk by yesterday to learn more about the parties or register to vote.
The Green Party is more of a "social justice party now," said Julia Metzker, a chemistry doctoral student and member of the Young Greens club.
The booth has information on propositions, the candidates that are running locally and a petition to get Ralph Nader on the vote.
Some of the platforms that the Green Party features are healthcare for everyone, campaign finance reform and education for children, Metzker said.
Young Democrats has another booth on the Mall that has had a steady number of people stopping by, said Elena Picha, a member of Young Democrats. The last day that they are going to be out on the Mall is October 7.
Hillel, a Jewish service center, was also on the Mall to encourage people to get registered. Jaime Freeman said the non-partisan group's goal is to get more people to vote, regardless of what party. The volunteers are on the Mall occasionally.
"Registration is slowing down now because if people want to vote, they are aware of it by now and have already registered," Freeman said.
Students' reactions to these booths vary. While students make an effort to stop by and check out these registration booths, others just walk by not even knowing that the booths exist.
Jessica Peppard, an undeclared sophomore, said she has never paid much attention to the booths and just walks by.
"It doesn't seem like anyone is interested in it," Peppard said.
Tyler Painter, a communication junior, said he doesn't really care for the booths either.
"I don't think they should shove it (the information on their political parties) down our face," he said. "That goes for all sides, especially with two candidates who don't care about campus issues."
However, others find the booths informative and useful.
"I think that it's great to have them on campus, it opens up opportunities for students who normally are not into voting," said Nicole Wylie, a women's studies senior.
Melissa Wokasch O'hern, a family studies junior, said she agreed with Wylie, but said more party booth options would be better.
"I think it's a perfect place, but I wish there was more diverse representation of parties," she said.
