Students Rally for Voting Rights

[RBL]

Students Rally for Voting Rights, Seek Additional Time
Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Author: SHERREL WHEELER STEWART

Students at Prairie View A&M could learn Tuesday whether the Waller County Commission will allow them an additional day for early voting in the upcoming primary election.

As it stands now, the students will vote Wednesday, Feb. 25, nearly two weeks ahead of the regular primary, which falls on March 9, the middle of the school's Spring Break.

"We need more than just one day for early voting," Prairie View Student Government Association President Hendrik Mason told BlackAmericaWeb.com "In other areas, up to three days have been permitted for early voting."

Students also want to have their polling place moved from a location off campus to a convenient spot on campus so that more people will have access. The last time there was a strong voter turnout among Prairie View students was in 1998 when there were two days of early voting, Mason said. Government leaders have said only one day is needed because student voting historically has been low.

But Prairie View is expecting a large turnout at the polls this time, following the controversy over statements made by Waller County District Attorney Oliver Kitzman. Students rallied for their voting rights and initiated a massive voter registration drive after the Republican district attorney questioned whether students at Prairie View met the residency requirements for voting in the county.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott ruled on Feb. 4 that Prairie View A&M University students may vote in their university town if they designate Waller County as their residence.

From Jan. 21 to Feb. 18, Waller County Voting Administrator Lela Loewe said she added 799 new Prairie View voters to the rolls.

Monday night at the Prairie View student center, state Sen. Rodney Ellis was to bring in a cadre of political heavy hitters for a town hall meeting to help encourage the students to go to the polls. The scheduled lineup of speakers included Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Elijah E. Cummings, D-Md., U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, state Representative Garnet Coleman, Hip-hop icon Q-Tip and Jehmu Greene, president of “Rock the Vote.”

Loewe said last week that 4,799 Prairie View students registered to vote, and of that number 3,019 have good addresses. Loewe said she and the other worker in her office are still processing registration cards and have about 200 remaining. "We’re trying to finish counting and verifying addresses so everyone can vote," said Loewe. "There are just two of us in this office and this has been a lot."

In addition to the presidential primary, Waller County also is voting on several county offices, including a commissioner who represents the district where Prairie View is located, sheriff, tax assessor and constables, Loewe said.

Prairie View history professor James Jones has helped with student voter registration and encourages students to vote.

While marches and rallies attract attention, Jones tells students that voting really makes a difference.

"Students can have a greater voice when they go to the polls and elect progressive people who represent their views," Jones said. "I try to explain to them that what they are embarking on now will be history ... There is not an option to drop the ball."