Candidates from opposing CU Student Government parties Unite and Voice manned tables at Norlin Quad to encourage students to vote in the fall 2013 election. CUSG’s “Get Out The Vote” campaign informed students that they can vote on MyCUInfo from 8 a.m. next Monday unil 8 p.m. next Friday.
Coco Wham and other Voice candidates speak on the topic of diversity and inclusion at CU at the fall 2013 CUSG candidate debates Wednesday evening in the VAC auditorium. (Nigel Amstock/CU Independent)
Voice and Unite tickets each have five students running for Representatives At Large. This year Voice is focusing its efforts on increasing “Buff pride” and promoting communication between the student body and its student government.
“The things that we do, the measures that we vote on and pass have a direct influence on everyday life on campus,” said Voice candidate Mitchell Fenton, a senior political science and psychology major.
Unite candidates and volunteers engaged in similar efforts to educate students about their party platform and the upcoming election. Unites platform is centered around creating affordable education for students and increasing diversity on campus. Unite candidate Colin Wichman, a sophomore communications and political science major, actively participated in the “Get Out the Vote” campaign.
“We just want all the people that we see today to know that ‘Hey, student government elections are starting next week,’ and if you haven’t heard about our ticket, here is what we are all about,” Wichman said.
Though the opposing parties tabled side by side urging students to vote, the climate was still competitive. Unite’s table featured promotional swag including “Don’t do it alone; Bring a friend” condoms and yellow sunglasses with Unite on the rims. Handing out items like these have sparked ethical debate amongst CUSG.
This strategy did not go unnoticed. Fenton snapped pictures of his opponents’ table to send to a fellow party member. Voice’s table hadn’t been prepared, and he wanted to ensure that their table would be as equally as enticing as Unite’s.
Politics aside, Fenton acknowledged the value of student political participation, whether a student would be voting for Voice or not.
“We are just encouraging people to vote regardless of who they are voting for, so just be active and do it.” Fenton said.
Contact CU Independent reporter Jordan Mathews at Jordan.mathews@colorado.edu.