By Lexi Palma '13
With the 2012 presidential election approaching, Siena students are getting involved in the voting process. Siena’s Student Senate is working to make sure that as many Siena students as possible vote in this year’s election. Senate President Cassandra-Jane Werking ’13 said the group worked on voter registration and absentee ballot drives.
“We feel that it (is) our duty to inspire advocacy and political interest in the real world,” Werking said. “It is important that students know how to take advantage of their civic duty of voting and why it is vital to be politically knowledgeable about the events and governing processes that affect our everyday lives.”
Many Siena students are not missing the opportunity to vote in this election. It is the first time many are eligible to cast a ballot. “I’m definitely voting this year,” said Political Science major Alicia Munian ’15. “Your college years are the perfect time to start getting involved. I loved that Siena gave the students so much help with the voter registration tables and I hope because of that, students really make an effort to vote on Election Day.”
Students also gathered in “The Norm” to watch the presidential debates between the incumbent, President Barack Obama, a democrat, and his Republican challenger, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. The economics department hosted a panel discussion to help students become more informed.
“The economy is the major focus of the 2012 election and it is important that voters understand what the issues are, why they matter, and how and if the candidates plan to address those issues,” said Assistant Professor of Economics Aaron Pacitti, Ph.D. “Many of these issues currently facing the country—student debt, job opportunities, income inequality and wage growth—are going to directly affect college students in the next few years, so it is imperative that they be educated on issues that will shape their life.”
Olivia Fay ’13 is excited to vote in her first presidential election. “Whatever candidate wins is going to have a big impact on my future, which is why I think it’s so important for people my age to voice their opinions by voting," Fay said. "I think it’s great that Siena is offering so many ways for students to become more informed voters too.”
Armed with information, interest and as sense of civic duty, students such as Werking, Munian and Fay will be able to cast their ballots on Election Day, Tuesday, November 6.
