KRISTIN ELVES

Vice president for the College Republicans Pam Simpson, left, assists alumnus Brett Martin in filling out a form for voter registration yesterday afternoon on the UA Mall. The Republicans are teaming up with the Young Democrats to register voters for the upcoming City Council election.

Wednesday September 26, 2001

More than 200 people register in first day of week-long drive

Two political student groups are teaming up to register as many voters as possible this week on the UA Mall.

In the first day of their week-long voter registration drive, the Young Democrats and College Republicans registered more than 200 people.

"We're here to register everyone, Republicans and Democrats alike," said Young Democrats secretary Sunita Krishna, a political science senior.

Members and leaders of the Young Democrats and College Republicans at the voter registration stressed the importance of youth involvement in the political system.

"If you start voting at 18, you'll become a part of the political arena early," Krishna said.

The students running the voter registration said they hope their efforts will lead to higher levels of youth participation in politics.

"If more young people start voting now, politicians will take a deeper interest in our issues," said Lara Cunanan, chairwoman for the Young Democrats Voter Registration and political science junior.

Although the two groups conduct voter registration drives each year, they decided to work together this year to show bipartisanship in light of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"It's a bipartisan effort. We want to show students that we're united, especially with all that's been happening in our country," Krishna said.

The spirit of unity is reflected in the way students are determined to stay politically strong as an entire nation, not two warring sides.

"The terrorists tried to break us apart, but our country has stayed together and this is our way of staying together at the UA on our own small scale," said Pete Seat, a theatre arts freshman. "This isn't the time for policy to come in the way and have us yelling at each other."

Although this year's election is only for the City Council, the political student groups agreed that this is a crucial time for voter registration.

"Registering to vote is always important, but this is a very opportune time because everyone is feeling very patriotic," said College Republicans President Jessica Bortolini, a communication senior.

One student explained the importance of smaller elections in terms of making a difference.

"If you really want to see things change in the place you live, you should vote at (local) levels, like this election coming up," Krishna said.

One student who registered on the Mall yesterday said taking part in politics is the way for young people to make themselves heard.

"I think it's important to be informed of politics, vote and make your opinions count," said Gabe Cortez, a retail and consumer sciences senior. "If you don't vote, you can't really complain if someone's running the country who you don't agree with."

Students can also find out more about Young Democrats and College Republicans meetings and sign up for their listservs. One student interested in the Young Democrats used the opportunity to talk to members and put herself on their listserv.

"I have very Democratic views and I 've been wanting to get involved, especially with the political atmosphere right now," said Chrissy Megli, a molecular and cellular biology sophomore.

The Young Democrats and College Republicans will continue their joint registration on the Mall through this week from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.