2008 Woodie Awards
Students unlikely to vote in election
Community members cite history, lack of issue awareness as causes
Erin Bowen
Issue date: 10/30/07 Section: Community
With Election Day approaching Nov. 6, residents of Oxford will cast their votes-with or without participation from the approximately 16,000 Miami University students.
"In the last election, only about six students voted," said Betty Quantz, former mayor and current city council candidate. "Democracy doesn't work unless there is participation from everybody."
The last city council election in 2005, according to Quantz, was determined by a margin of roughly 50 votes.
Quantz, who is also an English teacher at Talawanda High School, said she urges her students to participate in both their education and government.
"Students need to be involved from the time they turn 18," Quantz said.
City Council candidate Richard Keebler said he feels student involvement is important, yet he expressed concern about students voting who are uneducated on the issues.
"If a student is involved in the community, learns about the candidates, and reads the newspapers, I think voting is fine," Keebler said. "If the student doesn't make the effort to be informed, I worry they will vote with a narrow viewpoint."
Miami students, however, cite a lack of knowledge about candidates and current issues as the reason for low participation.
"To be honest, I've never thought about voting in an Oxford election," said Colleen Williams, a sophomore business major. "I don't know if I would be able to make informed choices."
First-year Rikki Teeters, a communication major, echoed
Williams' concerns.
"I don't know who the candidates are or what issues are being discussed," Teeters said. "Voting never crossed my mind."
However, sophomore Jon Turpin, a zoology and psychology double major, said he would be interested in voting-if he knew a little bit more about the election and the candidates.
"Sure, I would vote if I put in the time to educate myself about the candidates and the issues, but that's unlikely," Turpin said. "I think as students, we probably should vote because recent legislation in Oxford seems to be anti-student."
"In the last election, only about six students voted," said Betty Quantz, former mayor and current city council candidate. "Democracy doesn't work unless there is participation from everybody."
The last city council election in 2005, according to Quantz, was determined by a margin of roughly 50 votes.
Quantz, who is also an English teacher at Talawanda High School, said she urges her students to participate in both their education and government.
"Students need to be involved from the time they turn 18," Quantz said.
City Council candidate Richard Keebler said he feels student involvement is important, yet he expressed concern about students voting who are uneducated on the issues.
"If a student is involved in the community, learns about the candidates, and reads the newspapers, I think voting is fine," Keebler said. "If the student doesn't make the effort to be informed, I worry they will vote with a narrow viewpoint."
Miami students, however, cite a lack of knowledge about candidates and current issues as the reason for low participation.
"To be honest, I've never thought about voting in an Oxford election," said Colleen Williams, a sophomore business major. "I don't know if I would be able to make informed choices."
First-year Rikki Teeters, a communication major, echoed
Williams' concerns.
"I don't know who the candidates are or what issues are being discussed," Teeters said. "Voting never crossed my mind."
However, sophomore Jon Turpin, a zoology and psychology double major, said he would be interested in voting-if he knew a little bit more about the election and the candidates.
"Sure, I would vote if I put in the time to educate myself about the candidates and the issues, but that's unlikely," Turpin said. "I think as students, we probably should vote because recent legislation in Oxford seems to be anti-student."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Tim Crawford
posted 10/31/07 @ 8:54 AM EST
When educated people fail to vote they are abdicating power to those who will manipulate fear and superstition for their own benefit.
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