Royal Purple

Issue date: 10/29/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Kraig Przybylski A map detailing the zoning of each district can be found at www.ci.whitewater.wi.us

With six days left until Election Day, the city of Whitewater is hoping for a record turnout. In 2000, voter participation from District 2 in Whitewater was 89. Eight years and one on-campus polling station later, voter participation for the same district for the presidential primaries was 801.

Nov. 4 will mark the first time that students living in District 2 can use the Hamilton Center to vote in a presidential election. Ballots will also be cast for congressional and state legislative races in the area. In 2004, all students and community members voted at the Old Armory and many waited in excess of four hours to cast their ballot.

"That's the whole point of moving District 2 on campus," UW-Whitewater senior and District 2 representative Max Taylor said. "The thing that is unique about District 2 is that out of all the other districts, we have the most same-day registrations."

District 2, a primarily student-populated area, includes residence halls Arey, Benson, Bigelow, Clem, Fischer, Fricker, Goodhue and Lee. Several surrounding apartment buildings also vote at the UC.

To help combat the surge of new registered voters, extra poll workers will be added at the Hamilton Center, Taylor said.

"We have a lot more registered deputies at the UC than we do at the Armory," he said. "We're prepared to handle all the new registrants." Taylor also said poll workers will assist voters in line to reduce confusion.

"Greeters will be present at both the UC and the Armory to make sure people are in the right lines and have their forms straight so we can maximize flow," he said.

While those living in District 2 can vote on-campus, residents and students living in districts 1,3,4 and 5 will vote at the Old Armory at 146 W. North St.

As of last week, Whitewater Student Government had a contract with a local busing company to provide transportation for students to the Armory. However, the bus company recently backed out of the deal. WSG member Andrew Meyer and Jan Bilgen of Career and Leadership Development currently are working to secure another bus company to transport students.

Early indications point to a heavy turnout Tuesday. Whitewater City Clerk Michelle Smith reported nearly 1,100 voter registration forms have been submitted, and another 170 absentee ballots have already been sent out. To avoid long wait times on Election Day, anyone wishing to vote by absentee ballot can do so until Nov 3.

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