Students hit polls in elections, stir debate

Asya Magazinnik Guest Writer

The issue of college students’ voting rights received national media attention shortly after the 2004 election, when students at Hamilton College were turned away from the polls by election board officials in Utica, NY. Officials claimed that only permanent residents of the county could register to vote there, and that a college dorm does not meet this criterion.

On Tuesday, Nov. 8, Vassar students went to the polls to elect representatives to the Dutchess County Legislature. They cast their ballots in spite of this nation-wide debate over the right of college students to vote in local elections.

College towns all over the country have taken measures to prevent students from voting in local elections. In 2002, the city council of Saratoga Springs, NY voted to shut down a polling location at Skidmore College, forcing students who wished to vote to travel off campus. The city council of Williamsburg, VA has passed laws preventing students of the College of William and Mary from becoming residents, running for local office, and registering to vote.

The Dutchess County Election Board has imposed similar restrictions in the past. Former Republican Elections Commissioner Bill Paroli prohibited Vassar students from voting, once calling upon police forces to enforce the decision. Vassar students lobbied the county legislature and had the restriction overturned.

In 1999, students at Vassar, Bard, and Marist who tried to register to vote in Dutchess County were sent questionnaires that asked where they kept most of their possessions, what address was on their driver’s license, and in what bank they held their accounts. According to a 1979 Supreme Court ruling, the only provision for students who wish to register at their college address is that they declare that address as their permanent residence.

“College students voting in Dutchess County has been an issue in the past,” said Fran Knapp, the current Democratic Commissioner of the Dutchess County Elections Board. “Traditionally, Republicans have been opposed to college students voting since most college students register as Democrats.”

According to Republican officials and local residents, there are three main arguments for preventing college students from voting in local elections. First of all, college students tend to live in an isolated community that functions according to its own regulations, and is usually unaffected by the policy decisions of local politicians. Second, students have not lived in the town long enough to understand what is best for its citizens. Instead, they should vote in their hometown, where they have a deeper understanding of the community’s needs. Third, there is the issue of accountability. Many argue that college students, especially juniors and seniors, do not live in the town long enough to deal with the consequences of their vote, and are therefore less prudent in making their decision.

President of the Vassar College Democrats Kelly Peterman ’07 refuted these arguments. “I think registering to vote locally shows that a student is to some degree invested in the local community,” she said in a statement. “Yes, we only live here for four years. But we are part of the community for those years.”

“People often bemoan the lack of involvement between students and the local community,” she continued, “but voting is one of the most important ways a person can get involved…voting locally shows an investment in the local community and a consideration for the future of that community.”

According to the head of Democracy Matters (a non-partisan, issue-specific political organization on campus) Rebecca Rice ’08, Vassar students are actively involved in local politics. “We’re working on several measures,” said Rice. “Our main focus is a county resolution in support of the New York State Ortiz-Paterson Clean Elections Bill (which would establish publicly financed elections in our state). We are also pushing for a $100 cap for campaign contributions from companies doing business in Dutchess County.”

“I would disagree with the argument that college students drown out the voices of ‘real’ town residents,” added Rice, “because there are not that many of us and many students vote at home or unfortunately don’t vote at all. But those who care about local politics and want to vote here should be able to.”