Scott BresslerIn the midst of the closest presidential nomination campaign in recent memory, this week’s Super Tuesday primary contests were among the most crucial in the long run to the White House.
For the first time in some of their lives, many Washington University students voted in Missouri on Tuesday, influencing the closest primary in the entire nation; Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama of Illinois won by about 10,000 votes and Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain of Arizona won by about 8,700 votes.
Junior Alpa Banker experienced her first time at the polls on Tuesday morning. Like many, she braved an early morning wake-up call to beat the crowds and secure her place in line.
While Banker initially debated which candidate she would vote for, she always knew she would participate in Super Tuesday.
“When I got to the polling place and looked around, I got a little teary-eyed. It’s so cheesy, but I felt like I was officially a ‘grown-up,’ performing my ‘civic duty’ and whatnot,” said Banker. “Afterwards, I felt like I made the right decision. I accidentally woke my parents up when I called them to tell them that I had voted for the first time. It was so early but I think they were kind of proud and amused by my excitement.”
Despite an overwhelming presence on campus of Students for Barack Obama, new voters expressed a commitment to casting their vote in the primary process regardless of party affiliation.
“I think it’s important for everyone to vote,” said sophomore Katie Garland. “Especially for new voters, I think it’s important to get in the habit of voting and being involved in politics. As we learn and grow in college, it seems vital to question the political atmosphere we grew up in and assert our own beliefs.”
Also, students who already resided in Missouri before Super Tuesday felt the weight of their vote, as Missouri is historically a swing state in the polls. Freshman Erin Meyer of Columbia, Mo. decided to vote for the first time on Tuesday because of Missouri’s pattern of changing its party alliance.
“I’ve lived in Missouri my whole life, so I’ve seen how arbitrary the election process is here,” said Meyer. “I was happy I got to vote for this first time in such an important election, an election where I knew my vote would actually make a difference. Voter registration was annoying, but the actual process was really rewarding.”
Meyer was not the only Wash. U. student to find the voting process taxing. Sophomore Natacha Lam appreciated the volunteers who allowed students to vote on the South 40. Another first time primary voter, she was one of many students who dealt with a haphazard polling location on campus.
“The voter registration volunteers meant to do well, but overall they were heavily unorganized,” said Lam. “Every student at the Friedman Center was in one line, and there were no signs to separate us by last name. I was in line for 20 minutes before I got my ballot.”
Despite long lines, early risings and tedious registration, students across campus managed to mobilize to a polling place.
“I feel it’s important for everyone to vote, not just people our age,” said sophomore Zach Ernst. “It’s a right our ancestors fought hard for and a right many people don’t have, so it’s important that you take advantage of that right.”