Prairie View Students Rally for Voting Rights

[AKA2D '91]

Local - KPRC Click2Houston.com

Prairie View A&M Students Rally For Voting Rights
Thu Jan 15, 6:05 PM ET Add Local - KPRC Click2Houston.com to My Yahoo!



Students at Prairie View A&M want their voices heard and the right to vote.



The Waller County Sheriff's Department said close to 3,000 people attended a march and a rally held outside the Waller County Courthouse Thursday despite the gray skies and rain.


People attending the gathering told News2Houston they are fighting for their right to vote after a controversial letter written by the local district attorney questioned the residency status of students' permanent addresses that are not in Waller County.


"Voting is very important. Get out and vote. This is your future. Vote," a student said.


"It's your future. It involves you. Everything involves you, so try to get involved somehow," said Harold Causey, a student.


Many disagree with the district attorney because the law states university students and military members are allowed to vote in local elections where they are stationed or studying.


Some rally-goers believed the district attorney had political and racial motives for his opinions; however, he has denied those allegations, saying he is not about to break the law or take any person's rights away.


A massive voter registration was also held in front of the county courthouse Thursday afternoon.


Thursday would have been the 75th birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.

[Senusret I]

Those dreaded Town-Gown relationships. Seems like no mater where you go, the local government/residents are beefing with colleges and students.

[AKA2D '91]

When I was in college, I always voted absentee for my hometown's local/statewide/national elections.

[toocute]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
When I was in college, I always voted absentee for my hometown's local/statewide/national elections.

Yeah...that's what I did.

[Sugar_N_Spice]

Ummm, no. The District Attorney out there is straight-up tripping. A student should not be forced to vote absentee when they are going to spend the next four or five years of their life in another state/county. Many, many decisions are made by the state and local govt. within such a period of time, and they can (and usually do) affect the students. Luckily for me, I'm from Cali, so I register to vote from home (and go home to vote). At my campus, the allow everyone to vote (that's registered), regardless of where you are registered (I just find it easier sometijmes to go home--less of a hassle).

[ClassyLady]

Originally posted by Sugar_N_Spice
Ummm, no. The District Attorney out there is straight-up tripping. A student should not be forced to vote absentee when they are going to spend the next four or five years of their life in another state/county. Many, many decisions are made by the state and local govt. within such a period of time, and they can (and usually do) affect the students. Luckily for me, I'm from Cali, so I register to vote from home (and go home to vote). At my campus, the allow everyone to vote (that's registered), regardless of where you are registered (I just find it easier sometijmes to go home--less of a hassle).

Exactly! I am registered to vote in Leon County and I will vote in every election here until I graduate and move away. There are numerous laws and ordinances passed that directly affect the students here. The issues here really affect me more than the ones at home.

[enlightenment06]

I vote absentee but that's just because of my NY pride (so that's why people don't like us...)