Student turnout low in city council primary

Of the 1,200 people who voted in last week's city council primary election, less than 90 were from student precincts, a fact student candidates say may have cost them the election.

Jackson County Clerk Larry Reinhardt said while historically student participation in city elections is low, this year's student turnout was lower than normal. He said it is important to note the actual number of student voters is impossible to calculate because some students vote in non-student precincts. "Unless there is a hot issue, most students don't turn out, and that appears to be the case this year," Reinhardt said. "About six or eight years ago bar entry age was a big deal and a lot of students voted in that election, but for the most part, even if there are student candidates, students only turn out for the presidential elections."

TyJuan Cratic, a sophomore from Chicago studying political science, missed qualifying for the general election by 86 votes, despite backing from Councilwomen Shelia Simon and Maggie Flanagan. And while he got more votes from non-student precincts than student precincts, Cratic said students should realize the power they gave up.

"Students need to understand that who they elect to the city council has a huge effect on them locally," Cratic said. "Students think that local government doesn't effect them because they are only here for 9 or ten months a year. Well, students go to the bars, they go shopping, they look for jobs, they become part of the community for those 9 or ten months." Andrew Young, a former SIUC student who received 52 votes, said he also thinks that students view their time in Carbondale as temporary and therefore don't vote.

"If students knew the actual power they had, a lot more people would go out and vote," said Young. "If all the students voted, they could put anyone they wanted into office. But, a lot of students think they will only be here for four years and don't want to bother with registering down here." While Young is moving on from his defeat by starting up a home rental business with fellow student candidate Justin Eckman, Cratic feels he is obligated to inform students of their choices in April's general election.

"Some of the candidates have asked me for help," Cratic said. "And while I am not inclined to endorse or help anyone at this moment, because I was the closest student candidate, I feel it leaves me with an obligation to figure out and focus on who is the best for the students and keep students informed." Cratic, who is an Undergraduate Student Government senator, said he has also been approached to run for USG president, but hasn't made a decision regarding the matter.