Rock the vote 2010

As election day looms, PSU readied itself to vote by holding a voter registration event in the HUB last Monday. Approximately 50 students registered.

Student Body President Bryan Funk and Vice President Sam Wisel ran the voter registration drive, appealing too all students who wish to be active members of their democracy. "It's important as Representatives of the Student Body to provide students with the opportunity to vote and have a say in the country," said Funk.

Vice President Wisel, who manned the station for most of the day, believes that it is especially important now to vote, as it is a crucial period in politics in the U.S. "Here in New Hampshire, governor, state senate, and congress seats are being decided. It's important as a student body that we voice our opinion, and perform our civic duty as citizens."

The voter registration is run every year on campus by a neutral body, often by the Student Body President and Vice President, or a group with no political affiliation to any of the parties or candidates. "We wanted to give the students the opportunity to vote without long lines or waiting at the polls," said Wisel.

Don't panic if you missed the opportunity to register on Monday. There are still ways to register before the midterm elections on November 2nd.  Polling stations offer voter registration forms to unregistered citizens on November 2nd, although long lines are inevitable. An easier way is to venture to the Plymouth Town Hall and go to the town clerks office, where the form can be filed and the voter registered immediately.

In this year's election, Incumbent Democrat John Lynch takes on Republican John Stephen and Libertarian John J. Babiarz for the Governor's office. Incumbent Republican Kelly Ayotte takes on Democrat Paul Hodes for U.S. Senate. For local state representatives, Neil McIver and Henry Ahern Jr. will represent the Democrats against Suzanne Smith and Mary Cooney.

According to Rock the Vote Nationwide, 81% of people between the ages of 18 and 29 are registered to vote, while 74% between 18 and 21 are. "We need this for the rest of our lives," said Wisel. So remember to register to vote and get out on November 2nd.

For more information on how to register to vote, please stop by the student senate office located in the HUB.