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The Student Voice Since 1903
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2004
Issues affecting students on ballots today ■ Nine state questions will be on the Oklahoma ballot, including a statewide lottery that would benefit education.
Current Composition: U.S. House: 1 Democrat, 4 Republicans State Senate: 28 Democrats, 20 Republicans State House: 53 Democrat, 48 Republicans
Oklahoma voters will go to the polls Nov. 2, not only to vote for president and congressional seats, but also on several hot-bed state questions. Two in particular, State Question No. 705 and No. 706 would allow a statewide lottery, first proposed by Gov. Brad Henry when he was elected in 2002. Also on the ballot will be State Question No. 712, which would allow electronic gaming machines in casinos and at horse tracks, with some proceeds going toward education. As the lottery proposal is written, it would earmark money toward "educational
Oklahoma Electoral Votes: 7 Presidential Candidates: John Kerry (Democrat) George W. Bush (Republican) U.S. Senate Candidates: Brad Carson (Democrat) Tom Coburn (Republican) Sheila Bilyeu (Independent) To see the sample ballot for Oklahoma County, see page 4.
for funding education. He also Snyder said. Snyder suggested that rather objects to a government-run than a lottery, lottery program. the state should "I have mixed emotions,'' "Both the lottery strive to clean up the tax strucSnyder said, "I don't think it's and the gaming ture, create going to solve the questions benefit industry and restructure tort problem, and I reform, as don't think the UCO." means to save government money, rather should be funding Rep. Wayne Pettigrew than the state itself through playing what he gambling" called, "shell However games." Snyder did say Two Oklahoma House of that universities such as UCO would see a "slight increase," Representative members in funding if the lottery passes. whose districts include "The money (from the lot- Edmond are sharply divided tery) will be assigned to the over the lottery issue and the regents and the regents will overall financial benefit it will disburse it accordingly," pose to students in the state.
purposes” to the tune of 30 to 35 percent of lottery proceeds in the state. Steven Kreidler, UCO's vice- president for finance and administration said UCO would not benefit much financially if the lottery passes. However, students eligible for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program scholarship would see the benefits. "The lottery question is dedicated to OHLAP," Kreidler said. "It would make college affordable for more students. There's more benefit to students, than to the university." State Sen. Mark Snyder, a Republican for Dist. 41 which represents Edmond, does not think the state questions instituting a lottery is the best idea
by Kelley Chambers Staff Writer
Polls close: 7 p.m.
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UCO Student Association (UCOSA) arranged for the following businesses to discounts or free items to UCO students who vote Tuesday. Students must show their UCO ID cards and their 'I Voted' stickers.
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■ Backwoods - free T-shirt ■ Barnes & Noble (Nigh University Center) - 20% off ■ Chartwells (Nigh Univeresity Center) - free fountain drink with any purchase ■ Claires - 10% off ■ Footlocker - spend $50, get $10 off ■ Icings - 10% off ■ Kickinbird Cinema - free popcorn to first 50 people
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Election may tip scales in Senate control
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Photo
by Justin Avera
Cecil Gray of the Kiowa/Cheyenne tribe, dances Nov. 1 by Broncho Lake. The event was sponsored by the First American Student Association.
WASHINGTON - In simple mathematics, control of the Senate goes to the party with 51 of 100 seats. But this year the Constitution, the calendar, the presidential election and a political maneuver make simple math complicated. Republicans need 50 seats to retain control after Tuesday's elections. Democrats must have 51 to take it away. If President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney are reelected, and the Senate is 50-50, Republicans would maintain control because the vice president can break a tie.
see SENATE, page 5
Students to protest presidential options ■ Only the Democratic and Republican nominees for president will be on the Oklahoma ballot, but some students have found a way to get their views across by leaving the presidential line blank.
The Nov. 2 election will present a mixed bag of presidential candidates from the known, the unknown, and a rogues gallery ranging from a porno actress, an incarcerated man and some who hope to reinstate prohibition.
Discounts are for Tuesday, Nov. 2, unless otherwise stated.
However, in Oklahoma, a state where write-in votes for president are not allowed, only two candidates will be on the ballot. "Just Bush and Kerry will be on the Oklahoma ballot," State Election Board Secretary Mike Clingman said. But that is where another option comes into play, voting "None of the Above."
CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS ■ Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 2. Voters should bring a photo ID.
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by Kelley Chambers Staff Writer
■ McAlisters Deli - 10% off ■ Milanos - free drink ■ Poblano's - free tea or soft drink ■ Pier One - 15% off ■ Planet Sub - free chips and drink with purchase of a sandwich ■ Putt-A-Round - $1 off game ■ Radio Shack - 10% off ■ Randy's M&NI - one free catalog movie rental with account ■ Souper Salad - 10% off ■ Wendy's - free Jr. Frosty ■ Wingstop - 20% off Tuesday through Thursday except from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday
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see QUESTIONS, page 3
UCO voters to receive discounts, free items on Election Day
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Rep. Wayne Pettigrew, a Republican for Dist. 39, was the author of State Question No. 712 that would enact the State-Tribal Gaming Act. He is also in favor of State Questions No. 705 and 706. Pettigrew could not speculate on the actual dollar amount that UCO would see if the lottery passed, but said that students eligible for OHLAP would see the money within the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2005. "Both the lottery and the gaming questions benefit UCO," Pettigrew said. "There will be more money for scholarships."
The NOTA 4 Oklahoma initiative, sponsored by the Green Party of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Libertarian Party and the Constitution Party, encourages voters to vote on other issues and races, but to leave the presidential line blank. And while Clingman confirmed that write-ins would not be accepted by the optical- scan
voting procedure, voters can protest by leaving the presidential line blank. "It (the ballot) will be accepted unless you don't vote for any race," Clingman said. "If there is one race cast, it will take the ballot." In 2000, some supporters of the Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader were able to circumvent Oklahoma's
"no write-ins" measures and scribble Nader's name on the ballot. The votes did not count, however members of the GPOK could achieve a certain level of satisfaction and pride at having voted their way. Micah Gamino, a UCO journalism student and Green Party
see PROTEST, page 3
■ The Psi Chi and Psychology Club meeting will host a Kaplan representative at 12:15 p.m. Nov. 3 in Rm. 301 in the Education Building and at 7 p.m. in Rm. 306 of the Education Building. The representative will present test-taking strategies and tools. Pizza will be provided. For more information, e-mail urtzb@cox.net . ■ Applications for the 2005 Miss UCO Scholarship Pageant are available at Campus Life, Rm. 424 of the Nigh University Center. The deadline for submission is Nov. 12, 2004. For more information, call 9742363, or e-mail cgilmore@ucok.edu .
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