College student votes pushed

College students are set to hit voting booths and send in absentee ballots, thanks to "get out the vote" efforts on St. Lawrence County campuses this fall.

"For students, especially because for many this might be their first time participating in the process, it's very, very exciting for them," said Macreena A. Doyle, a spokeswoman for St. Lawrence University, Canton. "And in many ways, this is a historic campaign and election, so for them to be a part of that brings a lot of enthusiasm."

Faculty, staff and student groups at area campuses spent the past month helping young people register to vote, both in the north country and in their home states.

Republican Election Commissioner Deborah J. Pahler said the county always gets more college voters in a presidential election year, and officials expect no less Tuesday.

At SUNY Potsdam, several groups banded together to hold a drive, registering nearly 300 voters and helping 350 students obtain absentee ballots.

"Our goal is to make information available to students and community members so that they feel better prepared to make their own choices in the voting booth," said Alan Hersker, assistant professor of anthropology at SUNY Potsdam.

Clarkson University, Potsdam, had similar success in registering voters — almost 250 in all, said Christina H. Lesyk, the college's event coordinator, who spearheaded the effort.

"We set up a couple of laptops and a printer, helping students to register and get absentee ballots for pretty much any state in the union. We even provided envelopes and stamps for absentee ballots, so there was no excuse not to send it," she said. "It was really exciting. We'd have one student at the table, and he'd see a couple of his friends and say, 'Hey, get over here!' There was a lot of enthusiasm."

SLU is one of several schools that will provide free transportation to and from polls on Election Day. When students are done, they will each receive a slip reading "I made a difference, give me a break" from drivers that will give them discounts on coffee and snacks at the Brewer Bookstore.

At SUNY Canton, English professor Douglas V. Rose led voter registration efforts this fall.

"He's very excited about the process, and instilling in students the importance of their right to vote," college spokes-man Gregory E. Kie said.

Mr. Rose also tried to spark political conversation this Halloween, when the professor came to campus dressed as an "undecided voter," complete with pins supporting both Barack Obama and John McCain, followed by question marks.