SUSO emphasizes importance of elections


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Faculty members and representatives from the College Republicans and Democrats at CMU discuss the upcoming election at Speak Up Speak Out on Tuesday in the Park Library Auditorium.

Party affiliation, marriage equality and sparse voter turnouts among millennials topped the bill Tuesday during the second installment of the 2014 Speak Up Speak Out student forum. 

The event featured panelists from across the political spectrum to discuss the important issues of the upcoming midterm election.

"Any time you talk about midterm elections, there is an unusual and unique dynamic," said Gary Randall, a Griffin Endowed Chair in Political Science. He added that Michigan will play an important role in the upcoming primary. "It is a truly unique year in terms of opportunity."

Entitled "What Matters In This Election?", the event featured four panelists. The panelists included Randall, Dr. J. Cherie Strachan, a professor of political science, Samuel McNerney, the chair of College Democrats and Ottorino Schincariol, the president of College Republicans.

The talk began with a question posed as to what voters can expect on November 4, voting day, and whether a major political party will control races or keep their hold on the House of Representatives or Senate. 

Major voting concerns of college students dominated a majority of the conversation, with topics including college costs in the state of Michigan, the legalization of marijuana and marriage equality. 

The discussion also centered around the differences and similarities between the candidates for governor.

Strachan made a point that many college students feel frustrated with the current structure of politics, and if students wish to see changes in policies they care about they should vote in all elections.

"It matters that you turn out and vote for legislators," she said. "Legislators draft policy."

On the topic of marriage equality, panelists voiced their opinions that the issue could be a dividing factor in the election.

"Marriage equality is a generational issue," Schincariol said. "College students tend to be more in favor of it."

Panelists, overall, agreed that politics is more polarized than it has ever been.

"We are in an unprecedented time of partisanship," McNerney said, adding that sometimes it is necessary to look past political views to issues that affect the public.

The talk ended with an emphasis on the importance of voting, regardless of political views.

"Don't be so polarized," Randall said. "Engage in the political process. You have to have an open mind."

Kelly Wright, an Eaton Rapids graduate student, agreed with what the panelists stated about the lack of voting in the youngest generation.

"I am interested in politics and why people choose to vote. I agree that people of the younger generation hesitate to voice their opinions," she said.

Shelby Township junior Marie Sokolosky felt the discussion did a great job of covering issues of common frustration when it comes to politics. 

"It turned from a discussion of the issues to a discussion of general dissatisfaction with politics," she said. "But I think one over-arching theme was that we can be the generation to change politics. It kind of put everybody on the same page."

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