More than 250 students sign up in campus registration drive

Students at the College of the Holy Cross may not be in their hometowns on Election Day, but they will still be able to vote through absentee ballots. That was the message behind the College’s Voter Registration Drive, which was active on campus in the days leading up to various state registration deadlines.

In a nonpartisan effort to bring the voting process to a greater number of Holy Cross students, the drive sought to emphasize the importance of each student’s vote. Student organizations such as the College Republicans, the College Democrats, and the Student Government Association joined with Residence Life, Student Affairs, and the Dean of Students to ensure students had a chance to register or request an absentee ballot.

It is estimated that more than 250 students registered or applied for an absentee ballot as a direct result of the drive, according to Leonard Gabrila, a public safety officer at Holy Cross who helped mobilize organizations on campus. The drive provided a variety of options for prospective voters: fill out forms for drive organizers to mail, send them on their own, or use online resources.

A table was set up in the high-traffic area of the Hogan Campus Center lobby. Between getting their mail and picking up a cup of coffee, students could take a few minutes to become involved in a pivotal election.

Shiva Marvasti ’08, co-chair of the College Democrats, emphasized the importance of giving students the opportunity to vote. “The interest is there,” Marvasti said.  “It’s just a matter of cultivating it.”

Sharing that sentiment was College Republicans co-chair Lauren Brown ’07. “We need to recognize the fact that decisions made by the government now will affect our generation in the future,” she said. Voters can “change the political landscape of the country.”

Many people involved emphasized the  important work done by Gabrila.

“The goal was to get everyone possible registered,” he said. “Not only Massachusetts residents, but every state and every student.” He said the collaboration is continuing, generating more ideas about how to better stress the significance of voting to busy college students. “I always tell people, once you’re registered, you’re registered. Almost all of the students were very excited about the process and the opportunity presented to them by the registration drive.”

The drive was part of a nationwide movement toward getting more students to vote. The Help America Vote Act of 2002 asks that colleges make an attempt to let students know about the opportunity to vote. The push to get college students to vote is just one part of a movement to increase voter turnout everywhere. Gabrila emphasized how much college students can accomplish if everyone sets out to vote.

“Your voice can only be heard through the ballot box,” he said.

“This is the first step,” said Kristine Goodwin, associate dean of student affairs. She said the College plans to educate students about voter registration earlier in future years. Preparation is already underway, with an effort to target young voters starting this spring for the 2008 presidential election, and even weaving voter registration awareness into Freshmen Orientation. She hopes that efforts such as these will raise students’ civic awareness.

“So many freshmen and sophomores are voting for the first time,” Marvasti said. “We want to get students more involved politically, and encourage students to be more socially aware.”