Daily Egyptian
Fall '04 Edition
Today last day for voter registration
Jessica Yorama
Daily Egyptian
With the number of registered voters in Jackson County down almost 10,000 from the 2000 election and only one day left to sign up potential voters, local officials and political advocates are working vigorously to register as many people as possible.
Jackson County Clerk Larry Reinhardt said that despite the decrease, his office and other registering locations are prepared for the usual rush of people registering at the last minute.
The College Democrats were among those hustling Monday to sign students up to vote. The group registered more than 200 students Monday outside of Faner Hall.
"People started coming up to the table on their own," said Sarah Bauer, president of the College Democrats and a senior studying political science and administration of justice from Rushville. "And once they came up, their friends came up to register."
There are several Carbondale locations, including the City Clerk's Office, Jackson County Courthouse and Illinois U.S. Senate candidate Barack Obama's Headquarters that allow first time voters a chance to register for the around the corner elections.
On campus locations include the residence halls, the USG office in the Student Center and the Newman Catholic Student Center.
Reinhardt said that there are approximately 300 members of organizations who are eligible to register others to vote in the area.
He said organizations such as the local chapter of the NAACP have almost 50 members helping register voters. Registration can also be done through the mail, as long as it is postmarked Oct. 5.
According to the Jackson County Clerk's Recording Office, there were 53,629 people registered to vote for the 2000 election. Thus far, the county has registered only 43,340 in Jackson County, a difference of almost 10,000.
Reinhardt said the large decrease is primarily because registration is required bi-annually and fewer people vote during non-presidential elections.
City Clerk Janet Vaught also said there is a large difference between voter turnout during presidential and general elections. She expects hundreds to register to vote today.
She said the number of people coming to vote has increased steadily since last Thursday. Several organizations such as The League of Women's Voters are assisting them in what they anticipate will be a huge registration day.
"People get registered for these presidential elections, but they may not vote again for another four years," Vaught said. "It's important that people get out for these things, especially an election like this...because every little vote counts."
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Last update: Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at 2:26:41 AM
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