In response to the upcoming election in November and reports of registration difficulties, AU is working to maximize student turnout at the polls, according to Assistant Dean of Students Sara Waldron.
While AU's Web site states that a voter registration form is available in every residence hall and online from the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics Web site, an informal inspection earlier this month showed that the forms were not available in any residence hall, Bender Library or offices for Student Activities or the Registrar.
When she learned of the discrepancy about three weeks ago, Waldron said she would look into it. Now the matter has been fixed, she said.
"Voter registration forms are now available at every residence hall," Waldron said this week.
At Bender Library, a sign is prominently displayed advising students of several Web sites with information about the election, including those for the non-partisan group Rock the Vote and the D.C. Board of Elections.
Additionally, the official AU Web site has a new link to District voter information.
A student voter registration drive took place last week as part of Civitas Week. During the drive, almost 75 students registered to vote and between 250 and 300 registered for absentee ballots for this year's election, according to Student Confederation Vice President Jason Trombley.
"Students from the College Republicans, College Democrats, College Libertarians, Student Confederation and others worked several tables to register or advise students all week," Waldron said. "They provided students with forms [for registering in D.C.] or the home web pages of their states so they could register there."
Students may vote in their home states with an absentee ballot or in D.C. if they are District residents.
The SC is planning several election-related events in October, including a ticket giveaway to attend the CNN show "Crossfire."
For a complete list of voter registration and absentee ballot registration deadlines for each state please see Patrick Besha's Sept. 9 article, "Student Find Voting Difficult" on www.TheEagleOnline.com.
