Involvement Fair includes Youth Vote advocates
By Yvonne Marie Wingett Argonaut Staff Writer
Kerry Bowden and Ruth Anne Garry want 40 percent of students to vote in the November election.
The two University of Idaho sophomores represented the UI chapter
of Youth Vote 2000 at the annual Student Involvement Fair Tuesday.
Youth Vote was among 28 UI student organizations that set up
exhibits in the Commons Plaza.
Throughout the day, Bowden, president, and Garry, vice president
talked with students, passed out fliers, and encouraged many
to attend their weekly meetings.
Garry said they had a good number of students approach their
exhibit and show interest in their organization.
Other student organizations in attendance included the UI Bowling
team and Vandal Ice Hockey Club, UI Debate and Speech, Asian
Americans and Pacific Islander Association, and the UI Psychology
Department.
Youth Vote is the largest non-partisan organization committed
to encouraging civic participation among the nation's young people,
according to their flier.
Bowden said Youth Vote is calling for presidential candidates
to discuss issues relevant to students, such as education.
Although Youth Vote is not yet officially recognized by UI as
a student organization, they expect to be added to the roster
sometime next week, Bowden said.
Youth Vote plans on devoting two weeks in October to register
UI students for the upcoming national presidential election.
Bowden said during those two weeks, they will set up registration
tables at various locations on campus.
Bowden and Garry said they hope UI will be one of the universities
recognized for a high level of student participation in the presidential
election.
Bowden said their primary goal this year is to get at least 40
percent of UI students to register for this year's election.
"We'll do all the work for you, all you have to do is fill
out a form," she said.
Youth Vote is affiliated with MTV's "Rock the Vote"
and "Choose or Lose" campaigns.
Youth Vote is working to bring some local and out-of-state bands
to perform on campus to support their crusade.
ASUI President Bart Cochran said he is in full support of any
group on campus that wants to start a political action committee.
He said there are never enough voices when it comes to presidential
issues.
"There's an obvious lack of student participation in national
elections," Cochran said. "Unless we get voting up,
there's no way we can be influential in the legislature."
For more information on "Youth Vote," attend their
weekly meeting on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Chief's Room
of the Student Union Building.
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