OrangeBand works for 81 percent JMU voter turnout

A forum organized by the OrangeBand Initative and the Student Government Association discussed how to get 81 percent of JMU students of vote with education on issues and candidates in the November elections.

Throughout the meeting, students and OrangeBand members brainstormed. Among some of the students’ ideas were setting both long-and short-term goals and organizing a calendar of important dates and deadlines for voting to share with the student body.

The group decided to break the project into two sections, one for registering students and the second for getting them to vote.

The group also agreed to register Virginia students first. The members decided to make voter registration forms available for students in all residence halls and at freshmen orientation with the help of the Office of Residence Life and the Office of Admissions.

A student at the forum suggested changing the target voting participation percentage from 80 percent to 81 percent, in order to create an allusion to Interstate 81.

“One of the greatest obstacles we are going to face is the technicalities, logistics and legality issues of voting,” sophomore Mackenzie Shimon said.

Students at the forum also discussed how out-of-state voters could participate in the electoral process. The forum then considered the logistical problems with out-of-state students claiming residency in Virginia or voting with by an absentee ballot.

The students formed an education committee, to explain voting procedures and candidate information so students can make informed and responsible decisions.

“We have to use the systems already in place and pull them in, instead of reinventing the wheel,“ graduate student and OrangeBand student committee member Kai Degner said.

Degner facilitated much of the discussion made at the forum.

OrangeBand also formed an outreach committee of students to help promote the “81 percent: Let’s Do It” Initiative on campus.

Degner said the concept of getting 81 percent of JMU students to vote came from a professor who was asked to speak at the forum on student voting.

As a result, Degner and members of OrangeBand decided to take on the challenge.

Degner added that OrangeBand should address political apathy on a large scale and focus on how to get as many students as possible involved in the political process.

The forum, held Thursday in Integrated Science and Technology, was designed to facilitate discussion on how to educate the student body by raising awareness about election issues.

About 30 people from eight organizations attended, as well as students from Eastern Mennonite University.

Senior Amber Lautigar, an OrangeBand member, said this first meeting was critical. “I believe we can do this as long as we have a strong core and can keep the ball rolling,” she said.

Senior Jessica Avison said she will vote this coming November because she dislikes where President George W. Bush is taking the country.

“I haven’t agreed with his administration’s policies, and I am ready for a change,” Avison said.

Sophomore Scott Brazier said he would also be voting in the upcoming presidential election to ensure that Bush wins and can continue for a second term in the White House.

“I think that Bush has done a good job so far and has proven himself, unlike Kerry,” Brazier said.

“I’m comfortable with the fact that Bush will hold his ground and will not chicken out when it comes to the war on terrorism.”

“If we put all our efforts together this could get really big, really quick,” Degner said.

The next meeting to discuss the 81 percent project will meet Thursday, April 8 at 5 p.m.