IOP Fights Political Apathy

After three days of registering Harvard voters, the Institute of Politics (IOP) today is winding up a campus-wide effort to combat voter apathy.

Since Tuesday, members of the IOP have staffed tables stationed all over campus, registering voters and helping out-of-state students file for absentee ballots.

Members of the IOP said the event was an opportunity to promote political interest on campus.

"We are trying to raise awareness among Harvard students about this election," said project leader Byron J. McLain '00.

"There are congressional elections in every state including 34 senator elections as well as 37 gubernatorial elections. Students should be aware of this," he said.

Other IOP members said the organization hopes to address a national trend of declining voter turnout.

According to the Federal Election Commission, only 49 percent of the voting age population (VAP) voted in the 1996 presidential election, a full 5 percent decrease from the previous presidential election.

In 1994, the last national congressional election year without a presidential contest, a mere 38 percent of the VAP showed up at the polls.

"I wanted to do something about the fact that only about one third of potential voters take part in this democracy," said Jill R. Weader '02, an IOP registration volunteer.

McLain and other volunteers had registered 300 voters as of yesterday morning, including many who may not other wise have registered in time for the November election.

Many students working the tables expressed surprise at the number of students who were unfamiliar with the registration process.

"As unique of a school as Harvard is, you would be surprised at the amount of students unaware of the upcoming election or voting procedures," said Sachin H. Jain '02.

The registration tables also served as helpful reminders to students who had intended to register, but failed to do so in the chaos of preparing to leave for school.

Jean C. Han '02 said, "Here, there's a lot of focus on studying and extra-curriculars. Voting is something that isn't always on people's minds."

Despite the volunteers' efforts, some students ignored IOP solicitations.

While some declined to explain their decision, at least one student feared absentee ballots could lead to voter fraud.

"If I did send in an absentee ballot the same thing would probably happen to it that happened to the absentee ballots last year," said Adam R. Abate '02, referring to a scandal in his home state of Florida last year involving falsified absentee ballots.

But many students who registered said they hoped their fellow students would take advantage of the drive.

"I think it is disappointing how many people don't vote," Jennifer Monti '02 said. "I hope to find more political activity here then I did in small town communities at home."