Low voter turnout characterized California’s March 5 primary election — and the voting habits of registered UCSD residents.
Finalized turnout figures from the San Diego County Registrar of Voters shows 8 percent turnout at the two UCSD precincts. Some 110 ballots were cast out of 1,409 registered voters at the polling stations set up in the Price Center and at John Muir College, and through absentee ballots.
“”It’s unfortunately low,”” said A.S. Council President Jeff Dodge. “”I’m not surprised. Being a campus resident who voted, I saw the polls.””
The low turnout is indicative of students not caring about politics at the local, state and national level and of politicians not addressing issues relative to students, Dodge said.
“”It goes both ways, but we have to start caring,”” Dodge said. “”And they have to start caring about us.””
Campus residents cited various reasons for not voting, from not knowing about the issues to being too busy to vote.
“”I don’t think I knew enough to make an educated choice,”” said Muir freshman Ray Hsu who registered but did not vote. “”At the same time, I was busy with various activities.
Some of the students who did vote are involved in campus politics like Muir freshman Markee Rambo-Hood who is affiliated with the campus Green Party.
“”It’s kind of sad,”” Rambo-Hood said. “”But there weren’t big issues of importance.””
Dodge said he has been working with the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce to bring politicians to campus to discuss issues with candidates. One such forum was held in February.
Dodge also noted lobbying efforts with the United States Student Association to ease residency restrictions on college campuses and CalPIRG’s Youth Vote campaign as ways to increase participation on campus.
Nonetheless, students opted not to vote.
Marshall freshman Andrea Cartwright said she took the time to register and study the issues, but on the day of the election she “”kind of forgot and was too far away.””
Hsu, Rambo-Hood and Cartwright all said most of the people they know didn’t vote.
Dodge said he hopes such low turnout won’t carry over into next week’s elections for A.S. Council positions. Organizers are working to publicize the election and entice all students to vote.
More events for students to meet and discuss the issues with candidates, increased publicity through posters and more online polling places throughout campus have been implemented by the election committee, said Elections Manager Jessica Williams.
“”We hope that the large number of candidates and publicity will stir more interest among the voter population as well,”” Williams said.
Dodge said he will send an e-mail message to students next Monday reminding them to vote in the election and where to find relevant information.
Many students, Muir freshman Jeff Beaman included, expressed an increased willingness to vote in the A.S. elections and study the issues that seem to be relevant in their everyday lives.
“”Those are the people who will be voting on important policies next year,”” Beaman said.
Cartwright said she plans to vote because of issues such as the Athletic Fee Referendum and its relation to the quality of life on campus.
With regard to the quality of life off campus and issues such as Proposition G, the beach alcohol ban, many residents said they felt it did not relate to them because they are not yet 21.
Everybody seems to understand the importance of voting, Cartwright said. Actually doing it is something different.
“”Sometimes you don’t realize how important the little things really are,”” Cartwright said.