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Constitution Day to highlight drive to engage young voters |
| By
Kim Harvey |
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Sep 15, 2008
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On Sept. 17, 1787, the signatures of 39 men on the United States Constitution blazed a trail for a fledgling nation to follow.
To commemorate this date in American history, The University of Toledo will celebrate Constitution Day Wednesday, Sept. 17, with a number of activities on Centennial Mall in front of the Student Union on Main Campus. Student Government representatives also will be out in force to register new voters and update information for registered voters.
Kristina Karbula, Student Government vice president, said, “We thought this was a perfect day to announce our huge project of students registering students to vote. This election could see the biggest voter turnout ever. It’s important to get students out as first-time voters to establish a pattern of civic responsibility.”
Karbula said Student Government is working in conjunction with a program called Student Empowerment Training, which sponsors civic activism. The goal is to register 35,000 new voters across the state by Oct. 6.
“Our goal at UT is to register 8,000 students, which is about one-third of the student body,” she said. “Within the next few weeks, we’ll do a ‘dorm storm’ with door-to-door registration of kids on campus and send text messages that can connect students to online registration sites.”
According to Aaron Baker, government relations specialist, Constitution Day recognition is required for all state institutions that receive federal funding. UT has planned events in conjunction with the day since 2005 through a committee comprised of students, faculty and staff.
“The intent is for the events to be educational and empowering,” Baker said. “Hopefully, students will be reminded of the significance of the document and what it means to them. This year has particular importance because we have a historic election coming up.”
Dr. Rosemary Haggett, Main Campus provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, will kick off festivities at noon with remarks about the importance of voting. Several tables manned by Student Government members will be available for voter registration.
As with most birthdays, Baker said, celebratory cake will be offered.
In addition to its registration efforts, Student Government also has received permission to host a voting precinct in Carlson Library for the Nov. 4 general election.
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