Elections Guide 2012 by The Daily Targum

ELECTIONS GUIDE 2012

Look inside for a rundown of the ballot, a guide of to where to vote on campus, and student commentaries on the election. GETTY IMAGES

NOVEMBER 5, 2012

ELECTIONS GUIDE PAGE 2

Democratic elected officials stress value of vote at rally BY JUSTINA OTERO STAFF WRITER

Residents of Monmouth County and Democratic elected of ficials rallied at Asbur y Park’s West Side Community Center to help re-elect President Barack Obama. U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, N.J. Sen. Barbara Buono, Rep. Frank Pallone and Newark Mayor Cor y Booker were among the many elected officials who came out in the hopes to bring the community together and speak about the issues at stake in the coming election. Menendez described the importance of exercising one’s right to vote, especially in this coming election. “We don’t believe in 45 percent, we believe in 100 percent. This election goes far beyond me in the U.S. senate ... this election is about our countr y and what voting in America looks like. This election has two different visions of what voting in America looks like,” he said. Milly Silva, executive vice president of United Healthcare Workers East, said she looks at

voting and Election Day as an equalizer in this country where the vote of ever yday citizens holds the same weight as the vote of a CEO of a corporate company. Silva attended the rally representing her union for nursing home and union care workers throughout New Jersey, which canvasses and makes calls every Saturday to encourage people to act this coming Tuesday. “There are some people who we have to remind that voting in 2008 wasn’t enough. The work started, the work has to continue and you have to come out again and vote in 2012,” Silva said. The group’s main goal is to spread the word of not losing sight of a vote’s value on Election Day and to not underestimate how much that vote counts. “There are others who are excited and really see the difference between a Mitt Romney presidency and an Obama re-election. They understand Romney is not going to be the candidate who is going to stand up for regular people,” she said. Booker said he figured out Romney’s favorite singer is

Michael Jackson since he wants to moonwalk on the nation’s progressive efforts while simultaneously making it appear as though he is tr ying to move the nation for ward. “This is what this election is about, will we continue America’s progress for ward? Will we let them take a long moonwalk going back? Do we want change? ... Are we ready to work?” he said. He continued to list all the areas that would be af fected under a Romney and Paul Ryan legislation. “They are trying to take us back to the 1960s. Watch what they are doing. They are trying to do a moonwalk on voting rights ... moonwalk on civil rights ... move us back on women’s rights ... we know the story in New Jersey. We’ve seen this happen,” he said. Booker said this is a countr y of equality and therefore women, immigrants and workers should not take the back seat in this election. Pallone said Democrats are about guaranteeing the youth’s future. “What [people] want is a chance in life, some call it the

American Dream ... the idea they can grow up in Asbur y Park and get a good job, good education and have good benefits like health care,” he said. Republicans are primarily focused on corporate interests and the wealthy, Pallone said, as they believe in cutting programs and the reallocating funds that would ultimately take money out of areas like Asbur y Park. Pallone said this perpetual apathy exemplifies how Republicans have given up on that young boy or girl in Asbur y Park as well as other urban areas and the middle class, adding that the federal government has the means to make a change in each of their lives. “So I’ll tell you, you spend ... ever y minute over the next [few] days going out and explaining ... that we are going to make America hear that we are not going to stand for the politics of the past and the politics that denies that boy or girl the American Dream,” he said. Menendez said democrats endorse the politics of progress and prosperity while rejecting the politics of failure.

“In 2008 we voted to change the guard. In 2012 we must vote to guard the change we made in 2008,” he said. Silva said it is impor tant for college students to get involved in this election because Obama can continue to expand Pell Grants, making tuition and student loans more af fordable for them. She also said activism among students can change the path of this countr y in the near future. “Think about what we want our world to look like ... continue to raise your voices because this is a countr y that you are going to inherit and we need you to help make this countr y a better one for the next generation,” she said. Sandra Pizarro-Vega, a resident of Asbur y Park who attended the rally, said if people do not vote, they cannot complain about the election’s outcome or the countr y’s future. “It’s impor tant to vote, to have the things that we believe in — the things that we want count,” she said. “We have to stand up for that right, make it count.”

JUSTINA OTERO

GETTY IMAGES

NOVEMBER 5, 2012

ELECTION GUIDE PAGE 3

Obama leads close race for 270 electoral college votes Florida, Ohio among states that could secure win THE ASSOCIATED PRESS COLUMBUS, Ohio — President Barack Obama enters the final hours of the 2012 campaign with an edge in the hunt for the 270 electoral votes needed to win and more ways to reach that magic number. Yet the race is remarkably close in at least six states that could go either way, giving Republican Mitt Romney hope that he can pull off a comefrom-behind victory. If the election were held now, an Associated Press analysis found that Obama would be all but assured of 249 votes, by carrying 20 states that are solidly Democratic or leaning his way — Iowa, Nevada and Pennsylvania among them — and the District of Columbia. Romney would lay claim to 206, from probable victories in 24 states that are strong Republican turf or tilt toward the GOP, including North Carolina. Up for grabs are 83 electoral votes spread across Colorado, Florida, Ohio, New Hampshire, Virginia and Wisconsin. Of those, Republicans and Democrats alike say Obama seems in a bit better shape than Romney in Ohio and Wisconsin, while Romney appears to be performing slightly better than Obama or has pulled even in Florida and Virginia. The AP’s analysis is not meant to be predictive, but instead to provide a snapshot of a race that has been extraordinarily close from the outset. The analysis is based on interviews with more than a dozen Republican and Democratic strategists in Washington and in the most contested states; public polls; internal campaign surveys; early vote figures; spending on television advertising; candidate travel; and get-outthe-vote organizations. Both Republicans and Democrats say Tuesday’s election has tightened across the board the homestretch. Many factors are adding to the uncertainty, including early vote tallies, Election Day turnout and the impact of Superstorm Sandy in the East. There’s no telling the impact of Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson, who’s on the ballot in 48 states, including all the battlegrounds, or Virgil Goode, an ex-congressman from Virginia who’s running on the Constitution Party ticket.

President Barack Obama stops in Ohio — a state whose electoral votes are critical to winning the election — as a part of final campaign effort this weekend before Election Day. GETTY IMAGES But here’s perhaps the biggest issue complicating efforts to get a handle on where the race really stands: different assumptions that each party’s pollsters are making about the demographic makeup of the electorate. Republicans are anticipating that the body of voters who end up casting ballots will be more like the 2004 electorate, heavily white and male. Democrats argue that 2012 voters as a whole will look more like the electorate of four years ago when record numbers of minorities and young people turned out. The difference has meant wildly disparate polling coming from Republicans and Democrats, with each side claiming that it is measuring voter attitudes more precisely than the opposition.

Said Republican strategist Phil Musser: “The conviction with which both sides say they are on a trajectory to victory is unique.” Tuesday will determine which side is correct. For now, the gulf between the two sides’ polling has made it difficult to judge which candidate is faring better in the six up-for-grabs states. In the final hours of the campaign, national polls show a neckand-neck race for the popular vote. But it is the Electoral College vote that elects the president. In that state-by-state race, Obama long has had the advantage because he is started with more states — and votes — in his column, giving him more ways to cobble together the victories he needs to reach 270. Romney has

had fewer states and votes, and, thus few paths — though victory remained within his reach. Said Mo Elleithee, a Democratic strategist who specializes in Virginia: “A 1 percent shift in any demographic group in Virginia is the difference between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney being president. That’s how close this election is.” Romney’s standing in national polls over the past month improved following strong performances in the October debates, and he’s strengthened his position in several states, including Colorado, Florida and Virginia. But all three are too close to call and both Romney and Obama had final weekend campaign appearances in them,

underscoring their fluidity. Romney has gained ground in North Carolina, which now is tipping his way. Obama’s team has all but acknowledged that it’s the weakest for the Democrat of the competitive states, and the president himself isn’t visiting the state in the final stretch. But the key for both campaigns is the Midwest, specifically Ohio. It offers 18 electoral votes and figures prominently in each strategy. That urgency was evident by the multiple visits to the state by each candidate in the final days. Obama has enough of an edge in the electoral race that he could win the White House without carrying Ohio. But it’s hard to see how Romney does so.

Community split on Board of Education ballot question BY AMY ROWE NEWS EDITOR

The New Brunswick Board of Education could face some changes after Election Day, as city residents have the opportunity to vote on whether its members should be elected or continue to be appointed by Mayor James Cahill. The vote comes in the form of a ballot question, an addition made possible via petition

through an initiative headed by Yolanda Baker, a community organizer and New Brunswick Public Schools parent. Ever since the ballot questions was approved, residents have split into two groups — those pushing for no votes, like the mayor, and those lobbying for ‘yes’ votes, like the Rutgers University Student Assembly. Cahill said New Brunswick has seen a ballot question like this four times before, and it has

been voted down ever y time, according to a letter he sent to residents last week encouraging them to vote ‘no’ on the question. “The question to change to an elected school board was placed on the ballot by failed political candidates,” he said in the letter, indirectly referring to Baker, who withdrew from the city council race in September. The mayor said the average school tax bill for towns with an elected school board in

Middlesex County is $1,413 more than the average school tax bill in New Brunswick, in the letter. But John Connelly, president of RUSA, said he does not see how a school board election could lead to fraud or taxation. “I’ve noticed that school board elections are really positive things in terms of local involvement in the community and direct engagement of folks in the educational development of their child,” he wrote on the

“Keep Politics Out of Our Schools” Facebook page. In an email to University students yesterday, Connelly, a School of Arts and Sciences senior, urged everyone to vote yes on this question. “We in RUSA believe it is important to promote democratic initiatives and involvement in the community as much as possible and ask students registered in New Brunswick to vote yes on this question,” he said.

NOVEMBER 5, 2012

PAGE 5

Who’s on the Ballot President BARACK OBAMA

MITT ROMNEY

President of the United States, Democrat

Republican Presidential Candidate

Social Issues: Supports legal recognition of same-sex marriage, which is a state government issue Achieved success with repealing the military ban on openly gay members Supports access to abortion Economic: Aims to cut taxes for every American worker and raise taxes on millionaires and billionaires Hopes to end tax loopholes for corporations and provide tax cuts to small businesses Responded to recession with a roughly $800 billion stimulus plan, expanded auto industry bailout, inherited and carried forward Wall Street bailout Environmental: Spent heavily on green energy and supports nuclear power as a clean energy source Aims to cut oil imports by half by 2020 Was unable to pass limitation on carbon emissions under a Democratic Congress

Poll: 243 electoral votes (needs 27 to win) Education: Race to the Top initiative to provide incentives to states that actively improve the quality of education in schools Expanded post-9/11 GI Bill to give more than 800,000 veterans and their families easier access to higher education and employment Doubled funding for Pell Grants Foreign Policy: Opposes military strike on Iran unless if it proves the only way to stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons Will not repeat Libya air power commitment for Syrian opposition Seeks penalties against China for unfair trade but opposes branding China a currency manipulator

Poll: 206 electoral votes (needs 64 to win) Education: A Chance for Every Child initiative to make schools more accountable to parents, get highquality teachers and reworking Obama’s Race to the Top Refocusing Pell Grants to be more need-based Foreign Policy: Would use diplomatic, economic and military tools to build a lasting relationship with Iraq Work to ensure that Egypt remains a U.S. ally Withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan would be based of the conditions on the ground as assessed by U.S. militar y commanders with the goal of completing the transition of combat operations to the Afghan Army by the end of 2014 Social Issues: Opposes legal recognition of same-sex marriage Would not seek to restore the ban on openly gay

military members Opposes abortion except in cases of rape, incest or risk to the woman’s life Economic: Seeks lower taxes, less regulation, balanced budget and more trade deals to increase growth Wants to change the law to tighten accounting corporate regulations so it can ease requirements for smaller companies Reduce marginal rates to stimulate entrepreneurship, job creation and investment Environmental: Wants the United States to become independent of energy sources outside of North America by 2020 Supports opening the Atlantic and Pacific outer continental shelves for drilling, as well the offshore of Alaska Believes there should be more domestic coal, oil and gas exploration Source: barackobama.com, mittromney.com, The Wall Street Journal

United States Senate ROBERT MENENDEZ

JOE KYRILLOS

Democratic Incumbent

Rebublican Challenger

Poll: 55 percent support from N.J. voters Taxes: *Allow Bush’s tax cuts to expire for Americans earning more than $250,000 *Would close loopholes on tax code and end tax breaks for oil companies Spending: *Would cut military spending and some domestic programs (only if taxes are raised on the highest-earning Americans) *Supports spending cuts to balance federal budget

Health Care: *Supports Patient and Protection and Affordable Act (Obamacare), which mandates insurance coverage for all Americans and does not allow insurance companies to reject client based on pre-existing conditions Same-Sex Marriage: *Supports the legal recognition of same-sex marriage Regulation: *would push for tougher regulations on bigger banks

Poll: 37 percent support from N.J. voters Taxes: *Would cut tax rates by 20 percent and corporate taxes would go from 35 percent to 25 percent under his plan *Would consider raising taxes on high-net individuals Spending: *has not made up his mind about military spending reductions *would cap federal spending at 20 percent of U.S. gross domestic product (down by 24 percent from the past three years)

Health Care: *Opposes and wants to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which he called it a job killer Same-Sex Marriage: *Opposes legal recognition of same-sex marriage, voted against the bill to legalize gay marriage in N.J. Regulation: *Believes federal over regulating is suppresses economic growth. He would limit the amount of money the government could spend.

Poll Source: Quinnipiac University Polling Institute

New Jersey Sixth Congressional District Poll: 52 percent of N.J. voters support Economy: *Believes in creating a tax system that is fair for the middle class *Supports the Buffet Rule, which is based on the basic principle that no household that makes more than $1 million annually should pay a smaller share of their income in taxes than middle class families pay

FRANK PALLONE

ANNA LITTLE

Democratic Incumbent

Tea Party Republican

Education: *supports Pell Grants for students and has stood behind proposed legislation to keep student loan interest rates low *Believes in increasing access for the youth to go to college Environment: *Support cleaning up the Jersey coastline *Opposes drilling for oil off the U.S. coasts

Poll: 47 percent of N.J. voters support Economy: *Supports a balanced budget amendment and the elimination of earmarks and pork barrel spending *Supports tax cuts across the board Education: *Believes parents and students should have the freedom to choose the school that meets their

needs *Believes students should not be limited to failing district schools because of their geography Environment: *Supports the use of domestic energy sources including production of oil, natural gas, clean coal and nuclear and believes in eliminating reliance on foreign energy sources *Opposes Cap and Trade, a policy that results with a mandatory cap while providing sources flexibility in how they comply Source NJ.com

Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders H. JAMES POLOS Democrat, self-employed Incumbent Freeholder Polos believes his experience at the local level have prepared him to take on a new term.

RONALD G. RIOS Democrat, retired from Conrail. Incumbent Freeholder, Deputy Director Rios stands by the current board’s record, claims his objective is to use government efficiency in government and private health, safety or education organizations to improve quality of life.

ROGER W. DALEY Republican, retired judge Daley believes the allDemocratic board has created a closed government that does not allow citizen participation.

ABRAR “SAM” KHAN Republican, self-employed Khan plans to end what he views as unethical activity in the Middlesex County budget and introduce South Asian representation to the board.

INDER J. SONI America First, self-employed Also running for United States Senate Soni, if elected, plans to investigate the economy, work harder for senior citizens, increase gun control, and give tax incentives to small businesses.

Middlesex County Surrogate Vying for the Middlesex County Surrogate of fice this election year is incumbent Kevin Hoagland and challenger L ynda Woods Clear y. Elected for a five year term under the New Jersey Constitution, the Middlesex County surrogate’s responsibilities include administering wills, estates and

tr usts for Middlesex County residents, as well as assisting in legal matters relating to adoptions and incompetency issues. The sur rogate also ser ves as clerk to the Middlesex County Superior Cour t. On Tuesday’s ballot, voters can cast their vote for one of these two candidates.

Kevin Hoagland New Br unswick Democrat Hoaglan d is the reigning incumbent of Middlesex County’s surrogate cour t. He has ser ved as the Middlesex County Surrogate since 1993, and is president of the Central Jersey Spinal Cord Association. Hoagland believes his 20 years of experience as a

Middlesex county sur rogate will allow him to fur ther the ef ficiency and ef fectiveness of the of fice, according to mycentraljersey.com. L ynda Woods C l e a r y S o u t h Br unswick Republican Clear y is a challenger in the running for Middlesex County’s surrogate cour t. A registered invest-

ment adviser, Clear y holds degrees both in Psychology (B.A.) and Finance (M.B.A.). According to mycentraljersey.com, Clear y believes the most impor tant issue in the race comes down to a lack of knowledge of the work performed and the individual performing it.

New Brunswick City Council Democratic council member Glenn J. Fleming, Council member Elizabeth Garlatti and city resident John Anderson are running unopposed for the three open seats on New Brunswick City Council. The city council acts at the

legislative arm of the New Brunswick government and is responsible for passing city resolutions and voting on various laws. The council is composed of five members elected at large to staggered four-year terms, according to cityofnew-

brunswick.org. Council member Kevin Egan and council vice president Rebecca Escobar fill the remaining two positions, which are not open for election. Fleming, a lifelong New Brunswick resident and a teacher at Hamilton West High

School, told The Daily Targum on Oct. 25 he often hears criticisms of the gap in representation between city residents and council members. He insists that many of the council members have lived in New Brunswick for all of their lives

and continue to hold positions within the community. The New Brunswick City Council is currently working on issues like city bike lane planning, local crime, community policing and the state of New Brunswick’s public schools.

ELECTIONS GUIDE PAGE 6

NOVEMBER 5, 2012

ELECTORAL MAP

HAKAN UZUMCU, DESIGN EDITOR SOURCE: ELECTIONS.HUFFINGTONPOST.COM

RUSA’s Bryan Miranda talks voting logistics

Bryan Miranda, a School of Arts and Sciences sophomore explains where and how to vote. Watch the video on dailytargum.com/multimedia.

GRAPHIC BY SHAODI HUANG, ASSOCIATE DESIGN EDITOR

A map of New Jersey’s congressional districts shows the current state representatives and his or her party affiliation. Blue represents a Democratic representative and red represents a Republican representative.

NOVEMBER 5, 2012

ELECTIONS GUIDE PAGE 7

Polls show gaps Romney must close to win election Analysis gives state-by-state breakdown of electoral votes THE ASSOCIATED PRESS A look at the race between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney for the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House. With two days left in the campaign, Obama appears closer to the goal, but Republican Romney has closed on the Democrat and pulled narrowly ahead in some battleground state polling. The designations are based on an Associated Press analysis and are not intended to predict the outcome of Tuesday’s election. Rather, they are meant to provide a snapshot of a race that has been stubbornly close in the small number of most competitive states all year. The analysis is based on public polls and internal campaign surveys as well as spending on television advertising, candidate visits, get-out-the-vote organizations and interviews with more than a dozen Republican and Democratic strategists in Washington, and in the most contested states. A look at where the race stands state by state. The numbers in parenthesis reflect electoral votes. SOLIDLY DEMOCRATIC (186): California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. LEANING DEMOCRATIC (85): Iowa (6) — Romney sees opportunity in a key state for Obama in 2008. He’s visited a half-dozen times in about two weeks and shaved Obama’s early vote advantage. But internal Obama campaign polls and public surveys have shown Obama with a steady edge. The state is within reach for Romney, but he needs heavy Election Day turnout to trump Obama’s early vote edge. Obama planned to end his campaign in Iowa, which Republicans said showed instability. Obama aides said it was a nod

to the state that gave him his first primary win in 2008. Michigan (16) — Despite lingering economic pain in the auto capital, Michigan has large minority and union voting blocs that favor Obama. Romney, a native son whose father was governor, sensed opportunity earlier in the campaign but his opposition to auto industry bailout is seen as prohibitive. Minnesota (10) — Low unemployment and a long streak of Democratic presidential nominees carrying Minnesota give Obama confidence. But Romney began advertising in the state last week, followed quickly by Obama. Some see the ads as a way to reach competitive western Wisconsin, although Romney aides discussing sending Romney and running mate Paul Ryan in campaign’s final week in light of tightening polls. Nevada (6) — Nevada is the focal point of the nation’s household economic woes: No. 1 in unemployment, foreclosures and bankruptcies. The race has been tight, but has moved Obama’s way in recent weeks, backed by huge labor and Hispanic voting blocs. Romney sent Ryan to the state on the campaign’s final swing, while Romney concentrated on Ohio, Florida, Virginia and other states. New Mexico (5) — Influx of Hispanic and younger voters are Obama advantages in this state pivotal in 2000 and 2004. Pennsylvania (20) — Pennsylvania has been Democratic territory in recent presidential races. Romney is campaigning in the state and the GOP is advertising in it. But registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 1 million. UP FOR GRABS (83): Colorado (9) — Romney is running even with Obama and has nosed ahead in some public and private polls. The state’s conservative profile has changed, but unemployment remains high, above the national average.

Mitt Romney pulls into Pennsylvania, a state where there are about 1 million more registered Democrats than Republicans, for some late campaigning yesterday. GETTY IMAGES Young professionals and Hispanic voters were central to Obama in 2008 and remain his strength. But the fight for suburban women in the Denver area is seen as critical. Romney is using an argument that Obama has failed women economically while Obama has attacked Romney for months for positions on birth control and abortion. Florida (29) — Florida has moved in Romney’s way steadily since the GOP’s convention this summer, and some polls show Romney with a slight edge. Obama won in 2008, but the housing crisis and high unemployment are dogging him. Romney has made headway with Jewish voters and has an edge with Cuban-Americans, while Obama is the favorite among the state’s heavy Puerto Rican community. New Hampshire (4) — Romney has a vacation home in New Hampshire, which is next to Massachusetts, where Romney was governor. He won the 2012 primary big, but Obama peeled off this Bush state in 2008 and has visited often. Polls show the race close, and both candidates

were visiting on the campaign’s final swing. Ohio (18) — Obama has the organizing advantage, and unemployment has dropped steadily and held below the national rate this year. Obama reminded during debates that he’s due some of the credit for keeping Ohio auto plants open and expanding by supporting industr y bailout. Romney is not ceding an inch. Some polls show race tightening, but most public and internal polls show Obama with the edge. Virginia (13) — Long a GOP bastion, Obama carried Virginia in 2008 by turning out young and minority voters. This helps him in suburban northern Virginia but he struggles in the rural and conser vative South and West. Romney is using Obama’s proposed cuts in military spending against this strong, defense contracting state. Virginia polls show a very close race. Wisconsin (10) — Having led early on, Obama’s edge has been cut in public polling although Democrats express confidence they will hold the state their party has carried in presidential

elections since 1988. Having Ryan, a Wisconsin congressman, on the ticket helps, Republicans say, as does GOP intensity that helped Gov. Scott Walker beat a recall election in June. Obama and Romney are advertising heavily and visiting on the campaign’s final weekend. LEANING REPUBLICAN (47): North Carolina (15) — Polls have tightened in North Carolina, where Obama has kept his ads on the air despite gains by Republicans and voters’ resounding rejection of a referendum to allow same-sex marriage. Obama continues to advertise, albeit at levels less than Romney and GOPleaning groups, while Romney has dispatched some North Carolina staff to other states and Obama was not campaigning there on the final weekend. Arizona (11) — 2008 GOP nominee John McCain’s singledigit victory in his home state, and Hispanic and young voter boom, give Obama hope that Arizona is trending as other states in the Southwest. But it’s seen little action from Democrats so far.

WHO ARE YOU VOTING FOR? NEW BRUNSWICK CHICAGO

Targum Multimedia interviews students and residents around New Brunswick, as well as others during a recent trip to Chicago, about who they plan to vote for this Election Day. Visit dailytargum.com to watch and see who they plan to support Tuesday at the polls.

THE DAILY TARGUM IS HIRING FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS FOR THE 2013–2014 ACADEMIC YEAR: Build your resume with a truly unique opportunity to run an entire department of a prestigious not-for-profit company! Prior experience in sales and marketing a plus but not a necessity. Detailed training provided. Must be enrolled as a student for the 2013 – 2014 academic year. Responsibilities include: • Setting and reaching monthly revenue goals. • Overseeing the Advertising and Classifieds department. • Training, managing, and evaluating a sales staff. • Setting advertising rates for both print and online advertising. • Setting commision and bonuses for sales staffs. • Preparing bi-weekly Marketing Payroll reports. • Creating promotional campaigns. • Communicating directly with the Productions Department regarding advertisements. Flexible around class schedule during the school year, 40 hours a week during the summer, 2 weeks and spring break paid vacation, 1/2 pay over winter break! Expenses paid training at the CNBAM Conference 4/3 – 4/7 in San Diego, CA! Please submit a cover letter and resume via email to: Anna Drootin Marketing Director marketing@dailytargum.com

Seeking a motivated, hard-working, result-oriented individual who has excellent organizational, communication, and time mangement skills, along with the ability to manage and lead people. Experience using Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook preferred. Prior experience in organization management a plus. Detailed training will be provided. Must be enrolled as a student for the 2013 – 2014 academic year. Responsibilities include: • Ensuring successful operation of the company. • Constructing and overseeing the fiscal budget. • Setting wages for the entire organization. • Negotiating contract terms with vendors. • Managing 5 business departments. • Overseeing a staff of 70+ employees. • Hiring professional staff. • Approving all expenses. Flexible around class schedule during the school year, 40 hours per week during the summer, 2 weeks and spring break paid vacation, 1/2 pay over winter break! Expenses paid training at the CNBAM Conference 4/3 – 4/7 in San Diego, CA! Please submit a cover letter and resume via email to: Ashley Magno Business Manager business@dailytargum.com

DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR BOTH POSITIONS WILL BE DECEMBER 12, 2012.

NOVEMBER 5, 2012

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ELECTIONS GUIDE 2012

WHERE TO VOTE ON CAMPUS While Hurricane Sandy has shaken up the state, registered students should still remember to vote on Election Day, tomorrow Nov. 6. James Vokral, Middlesex County Board of Elections administrator, said his department is trying to keep polling locations consistent with past years despite the storm. Here is some important and up-to-date information about voting on and around campus: Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6. WHERE TO VOTE ACCORDING TO WHERE YOU LIVE: COLLEGE AVENUE Brett Hall Campbell Hall Clothier Hall Demarest Hall Ford Hall Frelinghuysen Hall Hardenburgh Hall Hegeman Hall Leupp Hall Mettler Hall Murray Hall Pell Hall Scudder Hall Stonier Hall Tinsley Hall Wessels Hall: The Lincoln School at 66 Bartlett St. *Residents of the University Center at Easton Avenue vote at the First Reform Church at 9 Bayard St.

COOK/DOUGLASS Bunting-Cobb Helyar House Jameson Hall Katzenbach Hall Lippincott Hall Newell Apartments 1-24, 65-128, 205-228 Nicholas Hall Woodbury Hall: Lord Sterling Community School at 101 Redmond St., Woodrow Wilson School at 133 Tunison Road (relocated from Rutgers Labor Education Center because of power outage). *The University will provide shuttles to this location from 5:45 a.m. to 8 p.m. Gibbons Hall. Henderson Apartments Newell Apartments 25-64, 129-204, 229-252 Perry Hall Starkey Apartments Voorhees Hall: Parsons School at 899 Hollywood St., North Brunswick

BUSCH Allen Hall Barr Hall BEST Hall Buell Apartments Crosby Hall Davidson Hall Johnson Apartments Judson Hall Marvin Apartments Mattia Hall McCormick Hall Metzger Hall Morrow Hall Nichols Apartments Richardson Apartments Russell Apartments Silvers Apartments Thomas Hall Winkler Hall: Busch Campus Center on Bartholomew Road

LIVINGSTON Livingston Apartments A, B and C Lynton Towers (North and South) Quads I, II, and III: Livingston Student Center at 62 Road 3 (relocated from Livingston Recreation Center because of power outage) Those who are not registered to vote in New Brunswick or Piscataway at their University address can apply to vote by mail in person at the Middlesex County Clerk’s Office by 3 p.m. TODAY, at 75 Bayard St. in downtown New Brunswick. All New Brunswick residents can vote at the Middlesex County Administration Building on Bayard Street TODAY from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. What to bring to the polls: Form of identification, i.e. N.J. driver’s license, student ID *DO NOT WEAR CAMPAIGN BUTTONS OR CAMPAIGN CLOTHING TO POLLS, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO REMOVE, COVER UP OR TURN THE CLOTHING INSIDE OUT* USEFUL RESOURCES: 1-7-877-NJVOTER (to confirm polling location) ruvoting.rutgers.edu state.nj.us/state/elections/voting-information-voting.html voterhub.us rockthevote.com

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NOVEMBER 5, 2012

Point/Counterpoint

To vote: Exercise your voice BEST PARTY ON CAMPUS CONNOR MONTFERRAT

olitics for some may mean “poli” — meaning many— “ticks”— bloodsucking insects — but for me, it’s a lot more than that. Politics is a business — or for some, a game — but in reality, it’s the one thing people are impacted by in every aspect of their life. After three presidential debates and the vice presidential debate, I will no longer explain why you should vote for Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan. However, I will explain to you why you should vote. Vote every year, not just the presidential election years. Vote because it is an American privilege. Vote because it is seen as a right and responsibility as a citizen. Vote because your ancestors fought for that privilege, and many others throughout the world do not have this opportunity. As you push the vote button or “pull the lever,” think of what your vote means, from your local council race, state legislature race, county race, congressional race, U.S. senatorial race and the presidential race. Before you vote, I suggest to you to become an informed voter. Look up your local candidates, from city council and mayoral candidates to your U.S. Senate candidate. If you had time, I hope you volunteered on a campaign, as it changes your perspective on politics and also changes the way you think about civic engagement. It’s my hope that this voter apathy will

change with the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy on this great state. People are now less politically active and civically engaged than ever before. We need to be more civically engaged because political participation powerfully affects the performance of representative government. Active civil societies help create results such as better education, faster economic development, lower crime and solving collective action problems. It also will develop society’s sense of self from “I need this” to “We need this” for more a collectively beneficial atmosphere. Political participation will only further governmental accountability and help society in the long run and bring America back to its roots. Participating in politics is something that has changed my life forever. As I took on tasks I never have accomplished in my life and travelled the great state of New Jersey, I listened to stories all over New Jersey and met people that you’d only imagine meeting. I cannot say my life hasn’t been boring, but I can say my life will be more exciting because I chose to participate. It was never about the résumé for me, it’s something I decided to chance and experiment with, to find the truth behind the political world. You can ask my friends, family, past professors and teachers — I jumped into a cold pool and loved every second of it. If you told me four years ago, I’d be where I am today and working for the people I do today, I would never have believed you. My father got me interested in politics because he’s been on the planning board in my town for more than 15 years. My

whole family is really Democratic and I’m the only Republican, but at the end of the day that doesn’t matter. Volunteering and voting is the key part to the entire process. You might as well help the start of bringing volunteer and civic engagement popular again. I hope most of you saw the bipartisan effort to register voters this year for the general presidential election year. If you are registered at home, make your way there Monday night to vote Tuesday morning, or better yet go home Tuesday to vote. If you go home, call the county clerk, ask your parents, and head to your church, gym, or community center. The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. After Election Day, maybe you can help me next month in a citizenship drive on campus, to allow for new citizens to vote in next year’s election. Additionally, venture down to the Jersey Shore, and volunteer for the families and communities who need it most. Take advantage of voting, and choose the candidates the best represent you based on their views, policies and experience. Remember what voting means to everyone including your friends, professors, parents, coworkers, grandparents or even to strangers and citizens of other countries. For information on Election Day, voting on campus and polling locations, go to ruvoting.rutgers.edu/content/election-day-information. Connor Montferrat is a School of Arts and Sciences senior majoring in political science and criminal justice.

Or not to vote: Don’t vote unless you’re informed GUEST COLUMN ERIC ANTISELL

niversity President Robert L. Barchi sent an email to students Friday reminding them to vote in Tuesday’s election. Barchi wrote, “I encourage each of you to exercise your power as a citizen by voting.” This is not an uncommon plea around this time of year, but it is a misguided one all the same. We can only assume that Barchi is exaggerating when he says he’d like for every student, regardless of his or her level of information, to vote in this election. There are plenty of students who lack enough information to make an informed decision — it is senseless to encourage these individuals to make a decision that could affect the whole country. Would Barchi be pleased if a student followed his advice and, after closing the curtain in the polling booth, started checking random boxes? Perhaps this student used the “eenie, meenie, miney, moe” technique to exercise his or her “power as a citizen” to vote. Suppose this arbitrary, uninformed voting lead to the student voting against the bond question, thus canceling out Barchi’s vote for it. In that case, Barchi would wish this uninformed student had not voted. Conversely, if the student’s nurser y rhyme landed on “Yes” as opposed to “No,” I speculate Barchi would commend the uninformed student for making the “right” choice.

There are plenty of citizens voting for one candidate because they believe the other is a Kenyan nationalist. Others are voting for the candidate who does not want to abolish Medicare. Some will “fulfill their civil duty” by voting against the black candidate — others, by voting against the Mormon. I cannot believe that the president of the University would encourage “each of [us]” — including the ignorant ones — to vote. It is clear that what should be encouraged first and foremost is education — even if it means sitting out an election until one becomes more informed. Watching a menacing political ad on TV or reading an email from the University president saying that your vote to authorize $750 in bonds for higher education is “much-needed” is not an education. The president of a university should understand that. Along with the distinction between educated and uneducated voters, the distinction between education and formal schooling is another one Barchi is not likely to make. Sure, enrollment can increase at a university as a result of sweet new facilities, but this is in no way a measure of the students’ level of genuine education. As someone pursuing a joint major of history and political science, I can attest to this. Without exaggeration, some of my classmates truly believe that WWII was a time of prosperity in the American economy, which ended the Great Depression. Maybe these “educated” students of history will vote for a particular candidate they believe will start WWIII, which they anticipate will cure

all our economic woes. These students should be encouraged not to vote. “But not voting can affect the election, too!” and “If everybody did that ...” critics admonish. Good point. What if every uninformed voter voluntarily abstained from voting? I can tell you one thing: Barack Obama and Mitt Romney would not be the Democratic and Republican nominees. Now, let’s consider what you actually should do tomorrow. You should not do something just because you can. There is no shame in sitting it out if you feel you don’t have enough information — in fact, it would be quite honorable to show such restraint. When it comes to voting, it is important to remember one thing: You don’t have to. Not voting does not make you a worse, or a “weaker” citizen. It could well be that you’re too busy to pay attention to the races going on because you’re doing productive things with your life. If only every citizen didn’t get around to voting because they were too busy figuring out how to make innovations that will improve all our lives. If you’re like me, you might not be ready to do that. So in the spirit of liberal education, why not read a short book instead of voting this year: Henr y Hazlitt’s brilliant “Economics in One Lesson.” Perhaps it will spark something in you. In that, there is intrinsic value. Eric Antisell is a School of Arts and Sciences senior majoring in history and political science with a minor in organizational leadership.

The third party vote FOURTH WAVE DANNIELLE ROMOLEROUX

omorrow is Election Day. Some of us will vote for the first time, some of us are already veterans to voting and many are still deciding whether they want to vote. I really believe that those not voting tomorrow feel that neither President Barack Obama nor Mitt Romney deserves their vote, or they simply don’t feel that either candidate can fix the problems in the United States. I see this among my circle of friends — they think the American people are not getting enough choices. Two options are really just not sufficient, for anything, especially for those people who are indecisive. But if there really were only two possible options, why were there eight other names in the sample ballot I received last week? Unfortunately, this is the mistake many are making. Because the only source some registered voters get on the presidential race is from mainstream media, they are blinded from the other candidates whose names will also be on the ballots. In John Mayer’s words, “when you trust your television, what you get is what you got.” Sometimes we won’t like the only two candidates on CNN, but that’s when it becomes up to you to inform yourself on the third party candidates. I too have followed the mainstream coverage, so when I saw the unfamiliar names, my first instinct was to Google. Surprisingly enough, I found a debate that included four of the independent candidates, Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson, Green Party candidate Jill Stein, Constitution Party candidate Virgil Goode, and Justice Party candidate Rocky Anderson. Of course this debate was nothing like the top two’s — it was funded by the Free and Equal Elections Foundation, which is an election reform organization dedicated to the idea that “all citizens should enjoy an equal share of the rights and responsibilities of our nation’s governance.” Their moderator was former CNN host Larry King, and the questions asked were taken directly from the public through social media outlets. Overall, I found the debate interesting. The candidates discussed topics Obama and Romney failed to address, like climate change and the war on drugs. All candidates, except Goode, agreed that marijuana should be legalized. They all agreed to cut military spending. Goode prided himself on being the only candidate that will freeze green cards until out job rate drops to below 5 percent. Stein, who was arrested at Hofstra University when she tried to enter the second presidential debate, vouched that she would bailout students instead of Wall Street. Watching the debate, it was clear to me that each candidate felt strongly about his or her respective positions. If only people actually watched the Third Party debate, then they would realize that the options aren’t limited to Obama and Romney. But numbers don’t lie — the third party debate got about 145,000 views compared to the more than 5 million views the first presidential debate got. That’s a huge difference. If you are unsure of whom to vote for, look up these third party candidates. They are all very different, and I’m sure you will find someone whose ideas you share. Don’t just stand there and say you didn’t vote because you don’t like Obama or Romney. Your vote matters and you owe it to yourself to be educated on all candidates, not only the big two candidates. Freeandequal.org will host the final third party debate with Stein and Johnson tonight at 9 p.m. I encourage you to check it out — it is not too late to find someone to vote for. As Johnson said, “Wasting your vote is voting for somebody that you don’t believe in.” And like Stein said there are 90 million Americans who won’t vote, don’t let this be you. Dannielle Romoleroux is a School of Arts and Sciences sophomore.

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