TO THE EDITOR:
Last fall, as a candidate for Chapel Hill Town Council, I had hoped to earn the endorsement of the Daily Tar Heel (I didn’t) and to motivate students to vote (I tried). In spite of campaigning on campus, endorsements by the AFL-CIO and Sierra Club and sharing my experiences on community boards, education, Peace Corps and advocacy for students, minorities, transportation and affordable housing, very few students voted.
According to the Board of Election, in last fall’s Chapel Hill election the median age of voters was 60, only 12 percent of registered voters participated. Only 179 of the 5313 voters were less than 24 years old.
Of course, it is local government that determines so much of the daily life for everyone.
This spring there is another important election. Here the Democratic Primary will determine the fall winners for County Commissioner, Sheriff and other local offices.
Carrboro has a special election for Board of Aldermen. Many students will be off campus May 6, Election Day, since classes end April 25.
It is easy to vote early at the Hillel Center April 24 to May 3 and even earlier by absentee ballot. Voter registration forms must be postmarked by this Friday, April 11, and requests for absentee ballots are due by April 29.
Last fall, the Daily Tar Heel shared its endorsements on Election Day. This spring, please collect and share candidate information in a more timely fashion so that University community can be prepared to vote early.
