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Monday, Sept. 26, 2016
Northern Star
815-753-5606 | @NIUNorthernStar | NorthernStar.info/Opinion
Students should be more mindful of trash left behind at tailgates
Johnson inspires at Purdue
Editorial Board Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the Editorial Board.
Michael Jage Actuarial Science Major
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Makenna Pranchke | Northern Star
Young voters need sameday registration stations
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Perspective
Ian Tancun Columnist
NIU students should be aware of a current lawsuit in Illinois which seeks to end same-day voter registration, because it could affect their ability to vote in the upcoming general election. Election day voter registration is beneficial to our elections process, and younger voters in particular, due to its convenience, which is why it should not be discontinued.
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We have to take the initiative to go out and vote... we need to make sure that our futures are secure.” Christine Wang SA Speaker
The lawsuit, filed by tea party congressional candidate Patrick Harlan in conjunction with the Crawford County Republican Central Committee, alleges that same-day voter registration puts Republican Party candidates at a disadvantage during elections because a higher percentage of Republicans live in rural towns without same-day registration, according to the complaint filed by Harlan. Illinois currently requires counties with populations over 100,000 residents, which includes DeKalb County, to offer same-day voter registration in at least one polling station in that county. Instead of trying to eliminate same-day voter registration statewide, Republican politicians should instead focus on trying
to get the current laws modified to require every county in the state to offer at least one location with same-day voter registration, not just the counties with over 100,000 residents. Not all Illinois Republican politicians agree with the belief that same-day voter registration should be eliminated. Robert Pritchard, Illinois State Representative, acknowledges that the current 100,000 population requirement for sameday voter registration can present a disadvantage for Republican candidates. While he would like to see changes made to the existing voter registration rules to address the concerns raised by his fellow Republicans, Pritchard still supports sameday voter registration. “I don’t think access is the real issue. I think motivation is the real issue,” said Pritchard. ”I encourage people to be informed and for everyone to vote.” Dr. Scot Schraufnagel, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science, has done research on voter registration and has lectures devoted to the issue as part of his curriculum. “Same-day voter registration works to increase voter turnout,” said Schraufnagel. “As it stands right now, there is no measurable or statistically significant partisan advantage by increasing voter turnout.” He also said younger voters who generally tend to move often are unfavorably affected by eliminating same-day voter registration. Younger voters are also less likely to have access to the resources that would enable them to partake in the elections process, said Christine Wang, Student Association Speaker. Access to transportation, in particular, can be an issue for students. Between that and their busy class schedules, Wang
says same-day voter registration is a beneficial process for younger voters that more states should adopt. “It’s incredibly paramount, especially in this election, that we have our voices heard,” said Wang. “We have to take the initiative to go out and vote...we need to make sure that our futures are secure.” Although I was previously registered to vote in Streamwood, upon moving to DeKalb this January, I discovered that I was not eligible to vote here. I realized this a couple days before the Illinois primaries in March.
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Same-day voter registration works to increase voter turnout...there is no measurable or statistically significant partisan advantage by increasing voter turnout.” Scot Schraufnagel Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science
Same-day voter registration is convenient for younger voters who move often. I had enough on my plate with moving to a new city, enrolling in a new school and preparing for my first semester at NIU. Ensuring I was properly registered to vote in DeKalb was not at the top of my to-do list. Because of same day voter registration, I was able to register to vote at my polling location on primary election day. I encourage all NIU students to register to vote now. If this lawsuit is successful, same-day voter registration will not be available during the upcoming elections in November. To check voter registration status online, visit www.elections.il.gov, and if not yet registered please do so.
I am a senior at Northern Illinois University, and I have a lot of respect for NIU and my teachers. But on Sept. 13 my brother and I skipped class and took a trip to Purdue University. The reason, Purdue was hosting an open attendance forum and conversation with Libertarian Party presidential nominee Gary Johnson. We witnessed something seemingly unique in 2016. We sat along with hundreds of others and listened to a politician being sincere. The event consisted of Gary Johnson answering questions from the host, former Indiana Governor and current President of Purdue University Mitch Daniels, followed by questions from the audience. Throughout the proceedings, Gary Johnson was steadfast in his willingness to answer every question. Many politicians avoid the unpredictable climate of an open-mic format for questioning, as it poses a certain level of political risk. But Gary Johnson did not shy away from the tough issues. I watched the people around me as we listened. I saw people from all sides of every spectrum. I saw people older and younger than me. I saw people of different race, different class, different enthusiasm, but most noticeable of all was the different political views and ideologies that approve of Gary Johnson. As attendees asked their questions on hot-button issues, I saw some people nodding approval while others simultaneously raised questioning eyebrows, while others listened thoughtfully. As the event progressed, it seemed that all of those near me had taken a turn at applauding, but when Mitch Daniels thanked Governor Johnson for his time, the entire assembly stood and bid farewell with thunderous applause. Gary Johnson’s message is about bringing together people who disagree and finding a way to work together. This is not just a smart political strategy, it is the cohesive mentality that has brought our nation through its most imposing challenges. I am asking you and all of your readers to take an honest look at Gary Johnson and decide for yourselves if he is the President we need right now.
For more information The Illinois State Board of Elections offers Illinois residents the option to register to vote online at ova.elections.il.gov/. In order to register online: • Have an Illinois driver’s License or state ID. • Provide at least 4 digits of social security number • Date of birth • The issue date of the identification