Despite new voter ID requirements as the state’s April 5 primary nears, the University of Wisconsin campus is making preparations for its politically active student body to make their voices heard in the presidential elections.
Reflecting a heritage of political activism, the UW student body today still shows a better understanding of political procedures than students at many other universities, Mike Wagner, professor in the UW School of Journalism and Mass Communication, said.
Wagner said based on a campus survey conducted by students in his public opinion class, UW students are generally more knowledgeable about politics than other college students their age.
“UW-Madison has a long history of political activism and the students on campus now on average are more invested in participating in politics than most other people their age,” Wagner said.
This is partly due to UW having a tradition of student involvement in politics dating back to the Vietnam War, where the UW student body was a main player on the protesting frontlines, Wagner said.
A more contemporary assumption, however, would be the political environment in Wisconsin as a whole, Wagner said.
“Wisconsin’s place as a swing state means that it often gets visited by people running for president, which tends to energize communities, especially student communities, in ways that don’t always happen in other states,” he said.
The overall political inclination of UW students is more liberal than even the average college student, Wagner said.
This highly liberal political climate has led to students overwhelmingly taking an anti-establishment sentiment into the presidential elections, Jonny Vannucci, Associate Students of Madison vote coordinator, said.
“[Students] are frustrated with the current political structure,” Vannucci said. “They want something new and fresh that represents them.”
Voter registration
During a voter registration drive ASM held March 15, more than 300 students registered to vote in just three hours, Vannucci said.
Due to the new voter ID law, many out-of-state students have to obtain a voter ID and show proof of enrollment at the polls.
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To encourage students to vote, ASM launched a series of voter registration events to help students keep up-to-date with the new laws in place and guide them through the process.
“[Registration] is a confusing process that I feel like a lot of students … aren’t fully aware of,” Vannucci said. “That’s what these events are about, making sure all students are knowledgeable about the voting process in this upcoming election.”
University officials are also collaborating with student leaders to make sure students have what they need to cast their votes for the election, Ervin Cox, assistant dean of student life at UW, said.
Cox said the university is dedicated to educating and promoting students to vote. His office puts up posters in main polling locations on campus, and the registrar’s office is trying to make registration verification easier by allowing students to show proof of enrollment on their cellphones.
“Hopefully this will all go well,” Cox said. “It’s the first time using the voter ID, so hopefully students will be well-informed and be able to exercise their rights.”
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The more knowledgeable citizens are, Wagner said, the more likely they can hold elected officials accountable when they are in office.
Vannucci said he highly encourages students to keep up-to-date with political issues because they directly affect student life.
“It’s important for students to vote because that’s how their voices are heard,” Vannucci said. “That’s how democracy works.”
