Michael Uribes / The Collegian
In yet another effort by ASI to “get the vote out,â€Â the Secretary of State Debra Bowen was invited to the Fresno State campus yesterday to encourage young voters to perform their civic duties on Election Day.
The secretary of state̢۪s responsibilities include managing state archives, business licenses and notaries. Right now, Bowen is fulfilling her role as the state̢۪s chief election officer.
Amidst an array of events going on in the USU Pit to celebrate Homecoming Week, Bowen addressed students on the importance of making their political voices heard.
“The election is like a job interview and you are the employers,â€Â she told the crowd. “We the people decide who we’re going to hire.â€Â
Bowen pointed out that of the 36 million people residing in California, about 23 million are eligible to register to vote and 16 million are already registered. She said that number is increasing all the time because this year̢۪s election is so historic.
“We’re seeing a big surge in voting,â€Â Bowen said. “I had a day last week when I had 20,000 voter registration cards in one day, almost like every student at Fresno State decided to register on the same day.â€Â
She suggested that Californians between 18 and 29 years old represent the largest increase in registered voters this year. She said besides being an election that features the first African-American presidential candidate and the first female vice presidential candidate, it is a year when everyone, especially those of the younger generation, is interested in making a difference.
“I think many people feel that the country needs a change and they want to be part of history,â€Â Bowen said in an interview after her address. She also invited creative students to explain why they’re voting in YouTube video submissions to the “My Vote Video Challengeâ€Â on her Web site at www.sos.ca.gov.
Recently, Bowen has been visiting campuses all across California to remind both high school and college students to register before Oct. 20.
Political awareness has been ASI̢۪s main goal also as their Why1509? campaign is now in full swing. In addition to holding debate-watching parties and providing material on the upcoming propositions, ASI staff have been passing out and turning in voter registration forms for students who have not yet done so.
ASI Senator-at-Large Sarait Martinez said ASI is doing more than ever to reach students as Why1509? approaches its final phase. She estimated that so far, ASI has taken in more than 70 registration forms to submit to the county clerk̢۪s office.
“Next week we’re gonna be tabling around campus like every day,â€Â Martinez said. “We’re gonna have something about what Why1509? means ‘cause the numbers actually mean something.â€Â
She mentioned that the final presidential debate-watching party will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at the Bucket and the Pizza and Politics discussion will take place on Monday at 3:30 p.m. in Peters Business Building room 194.
Freshman Gabe Rai was among those that benefited from ASI̢۪s persistence, registering for the first time yesterday. He said he believes presidential candidate Barack Obama has viable answers for the economic crisis.
“I just think we need to worry about our country and stop focusing on oil and just trying to help others while we need to help ourselves,â€Â Rai said.
A few student organizations were also present yesterday to provide registration forms and encourage political discussion. One such was Fresno State Students for Barack Obama. Club president Pedro Ramirez said that this year̢۪s election enables free choice because Republicans can vote for a Democratic nominee and vice versa.
“Most races tend to be very partisan and this election is a historic election,â€Â Ramierez said, “so people are crossing party lines and voting for different people for different reasons.â€Â
The Campaign for Teen Safety, sponsored by Planned Parenthood, also had an information table presenting reasons why voters should oppose the propositions on parental notification about abortion and the ban on gay marriage.