Sources:
Timeline - Copernicus Election Watch, www.edgate.com/election
Electoral College - www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/about.html

Make history - VOTE!
For the first time in nearly 40 years, the Indiana primaries will help choose a presidential nominee. Vote May 6 to let your voice be heard.
  by Matt Rodgers

Ball State students and faculty alike will cast their votes on November 4, 2008 to voice their opinion on who should lead the United States of America for the next four years.

Dr. Tony Edmonds said, "The age group that has been least likely to vote in the past thirty years has been you people: people between the ages of 18 and 26." Since Congress lowered the voting age in 1971, the voter turnout has been considered disappointing. However, some recent statistical evidence from the primaries has indicated that this may be changing. Edmonds believes that this is primarily because of senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama.

The increased interest in politics has impacted both the University Democrats and College Republicans.

"Our main focus right now is helping people who want to register to vote, getting awareness out for republican candidates," said Alex Carroll, president of the College Republicans. "We are trying to get more people involved and let them know that politics does involve them."

The University Democrats are doing the same. President Peter Nelson explained, "This election is very exciting because it is the first election in a long time where we do not have either an incumbent or the vice president running for office. We have completely new people running."

Both men agree that the current issues make this election important. More specifically, the economy and the war in Iraq are topics that both groups believe Ball State students should research and follow closely. Nelson said, "We need someone to come in, revamp, create new jobs, and get the economy boosted." Carroll agreed, saying that students want to know that when they graduate there will be a job waiting for them.

Beyond the unique issues, this election year differs from those in the past thanks to new media. Edmonds said that in particular the internet and 24-hour news channels have changed the way elections are run. "The media is going to be able to point out every minor flaw. If a candidate has acne or picks his nose, somebody is going to grab it."

Even before the November election Ball State students have an opportunity to get involved in the election process. With Obama and Senator Hilary Clinton running a close race for their party's presidential nomination, the upcoming May 6 state primary may have a larger affect on the political process than Indiana is used to, said Dr. Raymond Scheele.

Generally it is clear which candidates will receive their party's nominations following Super Tuesday, the day in February where twenty-four states hold their primaries or caucuses. This year, however, this was not the case.

While Senator John McCain was able to obtain enough support to become the front-runner for the Republican Party, neither Clinton nor Obama have been able to establish enough of a lead to decisively defeat the other. If this continues then the Democrats presidential candidate will be decided at their party convention before the general election.

According to Dr. Larry Smith, "The conventions are opportunities for the party faithful to gather and rally. They get together, they hammer out their platform, they party together. It is an opportunity to get over any wounds from the primary season, to unify as a party, and to go into the general election."