Election Guide

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020

USISHIELD.COM

VOL. 53 ISSUE 2

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN INDIANA’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT PUBLICATION

ELECTION

GUIDE

2

NEWS

THE SHIELD | THURSDAY OCTOBER 29, 2020 | USISHIELD.COM

Election year affects university’s political groups

BY SAMUEL DEVOY

Engagement Editor cem@eagles.usi.edu

College students have an obligation to participate in the electoral process, and every four years the USI community sees an influx of on-campus political discussion.

“So much has happened this semester and in this election year, that students just seem to be more engaged,” said Anna Ardelean, and president of the USI College Democrats.

The USI College Democrats is preparing to host “Lit-Drops” with groups like the Vanderburgh Democratic Council, Indivisible Evansville and the Nasty Women of Vanderburgh County A “Lit-Drop” is an alternative to canvassing, where instead of going door-todoor and speaking to people, you put a candidate’s literature into a bag and place it on or at someone’s door.

“I was at [a Lit-Drop] a couple weeks ago, up around Indianapolis,” the political science major said.

“It’s a great way to reach out to voters, and still has that personal touch of like a volunteer came to your house, you know? But, you’re not making them uncomfortable. and phone calls are the worst. So it’s better than phone banking, in my opinion.”

The USI College Republicans have also been making plans to distribute literature on campus.

“We will also have some form of campaign materials like information graphics, or information pamphlets that say: Here is the candidate, these are some pros about the candidate. These are their policies they support,” said Trent Thompson, president of the USI College Republicans.

In addition to direct information distribution, this week offered the USI College Republicans an opportunity to host a screening of 2020’s first presidential debate.

“Our watch party on Tuesday actually was a bit better than our one last year,” the junior marketing major said, “Because more people I believe actually focused on the debate and weren’t talking to each other and weren’t loud and disruptive. You could actually focus and hear what the candidates were both saying.”

Ardelean said she feels it is important to keep in mind people’s safety due to COVID-19 and maintaining CDC regulations is a priority when it comes to meetings and events.

“You have to keep in mind, okay, can you do this if people cannot stand next to each other? Can you do this if they can’t touch the same objects? We had a meeting where we were making political buttons to try to hand out to your friends and stuff. And that is so much touching materials, though. And how do you do that?” Ardelean said. “So we had to come with everything pre-cut and

hand sanitizer everywhere and disinfectant spray and all different things and, you know, one at a time so you’re not all over each other hanging out over the thing.”

Ardelean said it’s hard to predict a lot of these issues and the organization has had to plan their meetings by figuring out what is feasible and how they are going to keep it safe for members.

Thompson said for his

meetings, they have an additional zoom option for anyone who can’t attend meetings in person, or chooses not to.

“We get almost all of our paper materials or anything for any of our events— flyers, posters, stuff like that— from the USI, copy services, division or department,” Thompson said, “And we would pretty much take those directly from there and put those directly on the table. And there

would be minimal contact with those.”

The USI College Democrats and USI College Republicans presidents are encouraging students to get educated and vote even if they don’t house the same political beliefs.

The USI College Democrats meet at 6 p.m. every Tuesday; and the USI College Republicans meet at 5:30 p.m. every Monday.

Letter from the Editor

Readers, COVID-19 has changed student publications across the nation and The Shield is no exception. In order to maintain social distancing protocols as well as look after the health and well-being of our staff, we’ve decided to discontinue our weekly print edition and bring special monthly editions.

This month’s edition features the elections.

Shield Leadership Rhonda Wheeler Editor-in-Chief

Nik Cunningham Publications Manager Hayden Olberding Digital Editor Grace Fishback Copy Editor Abbie Holmes Design Editor Josh Meredith Photo Editor

Graphic by Abbie Holmes | The Shield

Samuel DeVoy Engagement Editor Dalie Wibbeler Marketing Director

The Shield is a designated public forum and the student publication of the University of Southern Indiana.

Additional copies of The Shield are 25 cents.

Visit usishield.com for additional content.

3

NEWS

THE SHIELD | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020 | USISHIELD.COM

Election approaching, college students voting

BY RHONDA WHEELER Editor-in-Chief editor@usishield.com

The presidential election is quickly approaching.

Current President Donald Trump is running for his second term in the Republican Party. Former Vice President Joe Biden is running as the Democratic candidate.

Jo Jorgensen is running for the Libertarian Party and Howie Hawkins is running for the Green Party.

Students can go to indianavoters.in.gov to make sure they are registered to vote. Citizens must

register to vote 29 days before the election.

In order to vote in Indiana, someone must be at least 18 years old, live in their precinct for at least 30 days before the next election, not currently be imprisoned after convicted of a crime and be a citizen of the U.S. After confirming they are registered to vote, students should find their polling location.

Citizens need an ID in order to vote in Indiana. Keep in mind that USI students can’t use their student IDs to vote because they do not have a date on them.

There are more options on the voting ballot in Vanderburgh County than just the U.S. pres-

ident. People will also vote for the Indiana governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, Indiana Congressional District 8 and Indiana House District 76.

There will also be a chance to vote for Vanderburgh County Commissioner District one and three, council at large and other positions within Vanderburgh County.

People can also vote for Evansville Vanderburgh County School Board District Three.

71% of college students said they are “absolutely certain” they will vote this year, according to a study conducted by College Pulse and Knight Foundation.

18% said they were fairly cer-

tain they would vote.

5% of participants said they were fairly certain they would not vote.

2% said they were absolutely certain they would not vote.

4,000 students participated in the study. It was conducted by College Pulse, a survey research and analytics company, and Knight Foundation, a national foundation invested in journalism and the arts. .

It also revealed students lack confidence in the legitimacy of the 2020 election. 49% of participants said it won’t be fair and open, while 55% say it will not be administered well.

81% said they believe special

interest groups will have more influence over the election outcome than voters will.

70% of participants said they will vote for Joe Biden, while 18% said they will vote for President Donald Trump. 10% said they will vote for someone else.

Students were also asked what they believe to be the most important issue in the U.S. today. .

33% of participants said the most important issue the U.S. is currently facing is COVID-19. 22% said it was race relations, and 12% said climate change.

College Students Voting by the Numbers Absolutely certain I will vote

Fairly certain I will vote

71%

18%

Fairly certain I won’t vote 5%

Absolutely certain I won’t vote

0

2%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

All Students A College Pulse & Knight Foundation Study

Graphic by Abbe Holmes | The Shield

6

OPINION

THE SHIELD | THURSDAY OCTOBER 29, 2020 | USISHIELD.COM

Every vote counts, so do it

BY NIK CUNNINGHAM Publications Editor me@usishield.com

The 2020 election is one of the most anticipated elections in years and information about each candidate is at the fingertips of everyone in the country. It’s easy to learn about the candidates running and what they stand for because everything is online now.

Now is the time to vote.

College students make up about half of the voting population, meaning this year’s voters are a force to be reckoned with.

No matter what your political affiliation may be, the outcome of the upcoming election will undoubtedly affect our nation for years to come. You may not care about casting your vote now, but in four years? You’re sure to regret not doing so.

You should vote because the elections have consequences.

Voting is a chance to express concern about things that are important to you, from public transportation to minimum wage. Local school funding is affected by the elections.

If you don’t vote, you are giving up your voice. Learn about the candidates and figure out

where your beliefs align. If you do not make that decision, someone else will make it for you.

Voting is an opportunity for change. If you want to make a meaningful impact, support the candidates you believe will be best in not just the nation, but your state and community.

Voting is important and it is a privilege that almost every citizen has.

Not only is it the right of every citizen to be able to vote, but many also view it as a civic duty, and the only way for the average person to have any say in how the government is run.

Every vote counts, and if you chose not to say anything, not to do anything, then you have no right to complain if or when November’s election doesn’t turn out in your favor.

Most of all, if you generally feel uncomfortable sharing your political opinions with others, remember that your vote is completely confidential, and nobody’s business but your own.

If there is a person bothering you about it, you have every right to lie, or simply not to tell them.

Photo from the Shield Archives

7

PUZZLES

THE SHIELD | THURSDAY, OCTOBER, 29, 2020 | USISHIELD.COM

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THE SHIELD | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020 | USISHIELD.COM

C R I M E LO G 10/01/20 - 10/27/20

10/1 12:31 p.m.-Code of Conduct-Disruption-Class/Science Center 12:31 p.m.-Incident Report/Science Center 2:06 p.m.-Welfare Check/Leslie Building 6:29 p.m.-Fire-Odor Investigation/Governors Hall 7:45 p.m.-Alcohol Offenses:Alcohol-Transportation/Parking Lot D 7:45 p.m.-Alcohol Offenses:Alcohol-Underage Possession/ Parking Lot D 10/2 3:50 a.m.-Fire-False Alarm/ Support Services Center 10:21 p.m.-Alcohol Offenses: Alcohol-Furnishing to a Minor/O’Daniel South Parking Lot 10:21 p.m.-Alcohol Offenses: Alcohol-Underage Possession/O’Daniel South Parking Lot 10:56 p.m.-Code of Conduct-Disruption/Hammond Building 10/3 1:21 p.m.-Fire-Alarm-Cooking/ Orr Building 4:14 p.m.-Fire-False Alarm-Mechanical/Wallace Building 10/4 1:38 p.m.-Fire-False Alarm/Ray Building 8:39 p.m.-Code of Conduct-Alcohol Violation/Newman Hall 8:39 p.m.-Welfare Check/New-

man Hall 10/5 6:41 a.m.-Fire-False Alarm/Education Center 4:54 p.m.-Fire-Alarm-Cooking/ Orr Building 5:37 p.m.-Fire-Alarm-Cooking/ Ruston Hall 7:14 p.m.-Illness Report/Recreation Fitness and Wellness Center 10/7 11:28 a.m.-Illness Report/Liberal Arts Center 12:56 p.m.-Code of Conduct-Disruption/University Center West 12:56 p.m.-Incident Report/ University Center West 11:17 p.m.-Illness Report/Newman Hall 10/9 10:04 a.m.- Code of Conduct-Disruption/University Center West 3:04 p.m.- Protection/Restraining Order/On Campus 3:42 p.m.- Criminal Mischief/O’Daniel North Apartments 3:42 p.m.- Incident Report/O’Daniel North Apartments 10/10 10:15 a.m.- Fire Alarm/O’Daniel North Apartments 10:36 a.m.- Fire Alarm/O’Daniel South Apartments

10/11 8:22 a.m.- Code of Conduct-Visitor Violation/McDonald West Apartments 8:22 a.m.- Criminal Mischief/ McDonald West Apartments 6:25 p.m.- Fire-False Alarm/ McDonald East Apartments 10/12 7:43 p.m.- Traffic Accident-Hit and Run/Parking Lot E 10/13 10:18 a.m.- Code of ConductAnimal Violation/Residence Halls 10:18 a.m.- Code of ConductDisruption- Roommate Dispute/ Residence Halls 10:18 a.m.- Theft/Residence Halls 11:30 a.m.- Welfare Check/Residence Halls 12:01 p.m.- Incident Report/ University Center West 1:25 p.m.- Intimidation/Wright Administration 7:52 p.m.- Fire Alarm/McDonald East Apartments 10/14 3:07 p.m.-Traffic Accident/O’Daniel South 10/15 12:03 a.m.-Residential Entry/ Porter Building 9:18 a.m.-Illness Report/Liberal Arts Center 8:03 p.m.-Injury Report/Recreation Fitness and Wellness Center

10:00 p.m.-Traffic Accident/ Parking Lot D 10/16 10:27 a.m.-Fire-False Alarm/ Bigger Building 3:40 p.m.-Welfare Check/Public Safety Office 11:01 p.m.-Alcohol Offenses-Underage Consumption/McCray Building 11:01 p.m.-Alcohol Offenses-Underage Consumption/McCray Building 11:01 p.m.-Code of Conduct-Visitor Violation/McCray Building 10/17 9:58 p.m.-Suspicious Circumstances/O’Daniel North Apartments 10/18 8:59 a.m.-Fire-False Alarm/ Durbin Building 10/19 9:50 a.m.-Traffic Accident/ Clarke Lane 2:40 p.m.-Fire-Alarm-Cooking/ Schricker Building 4:49 p.m.-Code of Conduct-Disruption-Roommate Dispute/Ruston Hall 7:23 p.m.-Fire-Alarm-Cooking/ Bayh Building 10/20 2:35 p.m.-Incident Report/Parking Lot G 11:45 p.m.-Illness Report/

Durbin Building 10/21 9:15 a.m.-Fire-False Alarm/ Hanly Building 10:56 a.m.-Fraud/Science Center 1:50 p.m.-Criminal Mischief/ Porter Building 2:00 p.m.-Incident Report/Unknown 6:53 p.m.-Injury Report/Parking Lot H 8:34 p.m.-Illness Report/Recreation Fitness and Wellness Center 8:35 p.m.-Lost Property Report/ Recreation Fitness and Wellness Center 10/22 10:20 p.m.-Welfare Check/Gates Building 10/23 12:30 p.m.-Fire/University Center East 5:07 p.m.-Welfare Check/Eagle Express Convenience Store 10/24 1:30 p.m.-Fire-Cooking/Branigin Building 10/26 10:48 a.m.-Fire/Saletta Building 12:04 p.m.-Incident Report/ Health Professions Center 10/27 7:00 a.m.-Incident Report/Public Safety Building