2008 Woodie Awards
Election Concers Arise as November Grows Near
Brianne Cavallone
Issue date: 9/30/04 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Many New Jersey residents who have recently registered to vote may not be able to cast their ballots come the November Presidential election, due to delays in the voter registration process.
According to SGA President Jacob Hudnut, the SGA recently uncovered a four to six week delay in the state voter registration procedure, which may make it impossible to meet the early October deadline for new voters.
The registration issue will affect many students that have multiple addresses. Residency issues have been a problem for college students in past years; this year the issue was brought up directly to the state officials.
"There was a delay and state officials confirmed this when members of the SGA asked them," said Hudnut. "Once the media was involved, they changed their story."
To ease the problems that many anticipated voters at Montclair State University may encounter, the SGA will be providing assistance.
The SGA, along with Student Activities and the Women's Center, will be hand- delivering voting registration forms to state offices in an attempt to expedite the registration process for MSU students.
"I'm glad we have a group on campus that is willing to uphold the rights of the student body," said junior Lyndsie Frew.
According to SGA Legislator Michael McLean, the Election Commissions denied the claim of a delay after the SGA notified the media of the situation.
"We applied pressure to the election commission by alerting the press and they became aware of the problem," said McLean.
The problem of registration delays for students is not uncommon. Many colleges and universities across the nation do not allow college students to vote because of residency issues.
Many students must submit absentee ballots in their hometown; however, making it difficult for a student that resides at school approximately nine months out of the year.
The 26th amendment states that students have the right to vote. The 1979 U.S. Supreme Court ruling said students are able vote at school as long as the student declares residency.
Local government decides the residency of a student. These decisions can lead to many students experiencing delays in their voting registration.
"Hopefully, the student organizations that are helping with delivering the registration forms will prevent any further delays for new voters," said Amanda Whitehead, junior elementary education major.
Registration forms must be delivered to the county office of election. After the department has received the voter registration information, a conformation is mailed to the applicant. The state must then obtain the confirmation before the registration may be completed.
According to SGA President Jacob Hudnut, the SGA recently uncovered a four to six week delay in the state voter registration procedure, which may make it impossible to meet the early October deadline for new voters.
The registration issue will affect many students that have multiple addresses. Residency issues have been a problem for college students in past years; this year the issue was brought up directly to the state officials.
"There was a delay and state officials confirmed this when members of the SGA asked them," said Hudnut. "Once the media was involved, they changed their story."
To ease the problems that many anticipated voters at Montclair State University may encounter, the SGA will be providing assistance.
The SGA, along with Student Activities and the Women's Center, will be hand- delivering voting registration forms to state offices in an attempt to expedite the registration process for MSU students.
"I'm glad we have a group on campus that is willing to uphold the rights of the student body," said junior Lyndsie Frew.
According to SGA Legislator Michael McLean, the Election Commissions denied the claim of a delay after the SGA notified the media of the situation.
"We applied pressure to the election commission by alerting the press and they became aware of the problem," said McLean.
The problem of registration delays for students is not uncommon. Many colleges and universities across the nation do not allow college students to vote because of residency issues.
Many students must submit absentee ballots in their hometown; however, making it difficult for a student that resides at school approximately nine months out of the year.
The 26th amendment states that students have the right to vote. The 1979 U.S. Supreme Court ruling said students are able vote at school as long as the student declares residency.
Local government decides the residency of a student. These decisions can lead to many students experiencing delays in their voting registration.
"Hopefully, the student organizations that are helping with delivering the registration forms will prevent any further delays for new voters," said Amanda Whitehead, junior elementary education major.
Registration forms must be delivered to the county office of election. After the department has received the voter registration information, a conformation is mailed to the applicant. The state must then obtain the confirmation before the registration may be completed.