Students GOTV

The Associated Students at the University of Arizona (ASUA) are challenging the conception that students do not vote. Elected officials often ignore targeting the youth specifically, claiming that they have other groups more likely to vote. This negative conception of students has some truth, being a student myself, I witness the apathy daily. However, the older generations simultaneously ignoring and admonishing us only perpetuates the truth in this stereotype.

Students in Arizona are taking a proactive approach with the UAVOTES08 campaign among their peers to close the voting gap, to encourage youth to participate in such a pivotal election.

These students are tapping into the long-standing online community, Myspace, and they are calling it the "Ultimate College Bowl," in hopes of spreading the campaign to campuses across the country.

This year, ASUA has a statewide goal of registering more than 13,000 students and getting 20,000 people to pledge to vote during the general election.

"We want more people involved. We want them to know the issues and we want our students to be engaged in the election process," Tommy Bruce said, president of the ASUA. "It's very feasible that students in Arizona will decide the state's presidential candidate."

Not only is the campaing encouraging voter registration and voting on the general election day, they also provide non-partisan information, will host presidential debate watching parties, and on October 8 the University of Arizona will serve as a polling site for the general election.