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Election '00
By GELAREH ASAYESH
It's not the 1960s, but this year's
election races seem to evoking a great
deal of student participation at UNC and
throughout Orange County.
With 5,200 registered voters in the
county, the number of people, eligible to
vote has reached a new high that
surpasses the figure for the 1972 elections
the first year 18-year-olds could vote in
a presidential election. :
"It appears that a large number of these
(people registered to vote) were . the
younger group," said Gerry Cohen, head
of voter registration activities of the
Orange County Democratic Party since.
1971 and a student at Carolina in the early
1970s..
"Everybody's first election (was in
1972," Cohen said. "This year there's an
even bigger trend toward voting, which I
think shows a lot more interest."
The number of UNC students registered
to vote also reached a new high 539
students registered in
during a two-day period,
the. election tend to
interested," Cohen said.
Issues such as draft registration, which
has a direct effect on students' lives, have
made the 1980 election particularly
interesting, but candidates'" personalities
also seem to be a major mobilizing force
on campus.
"I think it's the personality of the
candidate that draws interest, someone
that youth can rally around," said Give
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Woollen Gym
"The issues of
get students
Stafford Smith, co-chairman of the
Anderson for President group. "I think
someone .like Anderson gives you a
choice, and Reagan is someone that
people like to hate."
Jase Valentine, chairman of Young
Americans for Reagan said this year's
presidential candidates have made
students take a stand. "Students working
for Anderson and the Republicans seem to
be much more committed," he said.
"I think both feel that they have an
honest candidate. I think it affects (their
involvement) a great deal," he said.
George Hollodick, president of the state
chapter of College Republicans and a
UNC senior, attributed the rise in voter
registration on campus to an increased
awareness of current issues. "
"I think young people are becoming
more and more concerned with (the
issues)," he said. "They are realizing the
fact that it's important who directs this
country."
The activism of the 1960s often has
been used as a contrast to the "apathetic"
1970s, but Valentine said there has been a
trend to return to student activism. "I
think there's a new breed of college
student who is a political activist and a
concerned citizen at the same time," he
said.
Susio Sharp said that. Chief Justice Sharp of tho
N.C. Supremo Court described one of Charles
Victory's political deals as "simply outrageous"
She said it "threatens the integrity of the entire court
ystem. ;
Charles Vickery is asking you to return him to the
tate senate, despite this record:
Named in a bad check warrant issued for the
Orange County Tax Office.
Began low and is going down in reputation for
effectiveness in the legislature (as measured in
the latest, non-partisan polls of his peers in
. Raleigh)
Held a record for unexcused absences (57 ab
senteeism)
As Carolinians concerned about good gov:
ernmcnt, wo urge you to remember the A B V's of
good government when you vote on Tuesday.
Anybody but Viclcery for State Senate
Paid by Qroiiniafls Concamftj PA.C, 15 C Fkawnary St., Chapel H.S, N.C. -
"I think after the Vietnam War, things
have calmed down and more students,
instead of holding protest rallies, are
working within the system to change it the
way they want."
As Election Day draws closer, student
involvement in politics is increasing. It is
hard to walk into the Carolina Union
without bumping into a table manned by
supporters of a candidate for president or
for a state office.
The UNC Young Democrats is the main
group campaigning for President Jimmy
Carter on campus. ''The majority of
people (in Young Democrats) are the ones
who really believe in the ideals of the
Democratic Party," said secretary Lesa
Edwards.
And just as many students claimed in
the past that their vote could not change
things, that attitude seems to be.
increasingly rejected. "Youth do have an
impact if they really go out and do
something," Stafford Smith said. "Youth
had a tremendous impact during the
Vietnam War . . . (voting) is an investment
in the future."
"In a race as close as the presidential
race this year, any single group can tip the
balance of power for one candidate or
another," Hollodick said. "I think the
18-to-21-year-old group can play an
important role.
"I also think a lot of people really
believe they can affect the way things can
turn out maybe not in the country but in
Orange County," he said.
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"There's a feeling that we're in there
working," Edwards said. "And maybe
we're a small voice but more and more
people are beginning to listen to us. I think
this year you'll be seeing that college
students have a bigger impact than ever
before."
Many students also say the reason
younger people are taking an initiative in
politics is because they are realizing
decisions made now will have a direct
bearing on their lives in the years to come.
"I think that youth are more future
oriented and older people are more
present-oriented," Stafford Smith said.
"That's the essence of youth being
involved. We have a lot to offer in terms
of popularizing the more future-oriented
candidates."
Cohen said because the youth vote
tends to be more liberal, an increased
percenfage of 18-to-21-year-olds voting
' would have a liberalizing effect on the
total American electorate.
Whatever the outcome of the election,
many students seem to find participation
worthwhile in itself. "I think everybody
enjoys what they're doing," Hollodick
said. "They believe in the candidate and
believe they can make a small
. contribution. I really do get a sense of
accomplishment," he added.
"Being involved is great fun," Stafford
Smith said. "There's nothing to lose and
everything to gain. Youth don't get
disillusioned if their candidate doesn't
win."
Edwards also stressed the importance of
active participation. "Whether our
candidate wins or not, we're putting in our
two bits and we're doing our best. That
gives you your best sense of
accomplishment."
Cclareh Asaycsh is a staff writer for The
Daily Tar Heel.
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