Lincoln University voters make voices heard

Student voters are out in full force at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo. Shuttles bring students from campus to McClung Park , the polling place for all the students living on campus as well as in the surrounding area. Every few minutes a new shuttle pulls up dropping off five to six students and picking up those who have already voted to take them back to campus.

            Lincoln University , a historically black college, has a large contingent of Obama supporters making their way to the polls. Groups of campaigners stand outside the polling place, making sure to keep the required 25 feet from the entrance, handing out Obama stickers and temporary tattoos.  

            Lincoln University student Seth Alston, 19, said he is excited because it’s his first time voting. He said he was compelled to vote because of how important the election was this year and how much of a historical impact it is likely to have. “This is the first time ever a black man has gone out for president, and I wanted to be a part of helping to elect him,” Alston said.

            A majority of the voters at McClung Park polling place as well as at the John G. Christy Municipal Building polling place were young voters, in the 18-29 age bracket. It seems that the predictions for a large young-voter turnout are being realized, at least in the Lincoln University area.

            Lincoln University student Sara Westbrooks said she voted for Obama because of his policies on healthcare, the war and the economy. “It’s really important for student voters to come out to the polls because of the issues that will affect them like health care and education,” said Westbrooks. She also said that she really supported Obama’s incentives for students to help them with college tuition. Westbrooks said that even though she is going to be graduating, she thinks it is important for future generations to have help paying for college.

            Students set up a table near the polling place offering free refreshments to voters as an incentive to stay and vote in spite of the long lines. They are also encouraging students who voted to tell all of their friends to vote as well. Tre Kelley, 20, and Nobel Russell, 19, were working the table and both said that they already voted this morning. They support Obama as well, and said that it was important for students to get out there and have their voices heard. “Mainly, our school is for Barack Obama so we are trying to represent for him and give out stickers and buttons to his supporters,” Russell said. Both Russell and Kelley are voting in a presidential election for the first time and feel that the most important issues in this election are the economy and the war in .