BY KURT MARTONE, NEWS EDITOR
A permanent table has been set up in the Friedsam Memorial Library to allow students to register to vote. Organizers hope to have every student on campus registered and ready to vote by November.
The idea came together through Thomas Buttafarro, director of government and community relations and Maureen Bernas, circulation supervisor at the Friedsam Memorial Library, after the “minimal” turnout at a registration booth in the Reilly Center during National Voter Registration Day. Caroline Paterno, a senior psychology major at St. Bonaventure also partnered with them on the project.
“We wanted to make sure it (voting) was as accessible as possible,” said Paterno.
Paterno collected information on the voting registration process, upcoming primary dates and deadlines, as well as how to register and request a mail in ballot.
Organizers wanted to find a better way to help students register to vote. The booth has instructions for students to register to vote in every state. For students that live in New York, hardcopies of both registration forms and absentee ballot requests are available.
“I knew that the coming midterm would be crucial to the direction our country was taking and felt that the library might be a more conducive place to encourage people to vote and to register to do so,” said Bernas.
Two computers are set up for students to register on the main floor of the library by the computer lab classroom where the vending machines are.
“The location was selected for privacy, so students can take a minute and figure out how to register or request ballots. I try not to monitor it too closely, except to make sure the computers are being used properly or to answer questions,” Bernas said.
Buttafarro offered his reason as to why students should vote, even if they are skeptical of the system.
“Say what you want about the system or process but the only way to make change and have your voice heard is through voting. It is the simplest, yet most important right we have as Americans.”.
Bernas added that voting is what elected representatives truly need to keep their jobs.
“Your vote is your voice – in fact, it is the only thing you have that your elected representatives and their corporate sponsors want (besides your money). Why else would people from both sides of the aisles spend so much time and money trying to influence it?”
Paterno said that elected officials are: “The people that are making decisions that impact your everyday life. It is one of the best ways to make your voice heard.”
The National Voter Registration Day event in 2021 had 233,571 people either register or update their voter registrations nationwide. Organizers still plan to host an additional booth on campus during National Voter Registration day this fall.
martonkd18@bonaventure.edu
