Opinion

Go vote!

At the University of Wisconsin, students pride themselves on their involvement in an array of political issues. Today students need to live up to that reputation by voting. The outcome of today's elections rests in part on students, who have the power to sway a number of critical issues in the state.

Perhaps the most controversial issue is the referendum to amend the state Constitution to disallow same-sex marriage and civil unions. We urge students to vote "No" for many reasons. If passed, the amendment will be detrimental to the UW System, further discouraging the recruitment and retention of professionals at UW schools. While we respect that everyone is entitled to his or her own beliefs, we also believe separation of church and state should be upheld and believe discrimination does not have a place in the Constitution.

We support Gov. Jim Doyle for reelection over challenger U.S. Rep. Mark Green. Embryonic stem-cell research, the gay-marriage amendment and making UW schools affordable and accessible are issues that are essential considerations for students to remember.

Both Democrat Kathleen Falk and Republican J.B. Van Hollen have unique backgrounds that make them qualified to be Wisconsin's attorney general. Although Mr. Van Hollen has more experience trying criminal cases, we believe Ms. Falk's sound administrative skills and experience as assistant attorney general for 14 years makes her the best choice.

Voters have the choice of two laudable candidates in Congress in Democrat U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin and challenger Dave Magnum. As a middle-of-the road Republican, Mr. Magnum has the ability to cross party lines and achieve bipartisan support, while Ms. Baldwin's leftist views have made it difficult for her to do so for the past eight years. Nevertheless, we support Ms. Baldwin because of her commitment and availability to UW students and stance on supporting higher education, but we encourage her to improve her bipartisan relations.

The U.S. Senate race between incumbent Democrat Herb Kohl, Republican Robert Gerald Lorge and Green Party candidate Rae Vogeler is essentially decided in favor of the Democrat. Lacking in qualified opponents, we support the ever-popular Mr. Kohl, who, as a moderate Democrat, reaches across party lines to make compromises and has built bipartisan support on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Today UW students have the chance to evoke change, so find your polling place and do your part to ensure the best future for Wisconsin. Go vote!