September 21, 2004

Be advised that there will few excuses for not registering to vote this year, especially at the University of Houston.

This year, classic defenses such as “I don’t know where to go,” or “I don’t have time,” will be rendered moot on campus. To support the Help America Vote Act, UH President Jay Gogue has proclaimed Sunday, Sept. 19 – Sunday, Sept. 26 as Voter Registration Week at UH.

Throughout the week, a host of registration sites and events will offer faculty, staff and students ample opportunities to become registered voters and learn about the importance of voting.

“In big-picture terms, it’s important to get young adults registered when they’re in college,” said Richard Murray, professor of political science and director of the Center for Public Policy. “Voting is a habit, and if you acquire it when you’re 20 or 21 years old, you’ll likely continue to vote the rest of your life.”

During Voter Registration Week, a student-run campaign, “U Vote, U Count,” will emphasize this point by attempting to register 10,000 UH students as voters by week’s end.

To kick off this campaign, a “U Vote, U Count” rally is scheduled for noon on Tuesday, September 21 at the Athletics/Alumni Center. Scheduled speakers at this rally include UH President Jay Gogue, UH System Board of Regents Chair Morgan Dunn O’Connor, KHOU-TV anchor Lisa Foronda and the Rev. William Lawson of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church.

Those inspired by the rally can do their part to increase voter registration by attending a “deputizing” meeting hosted by the Order of the Barons, a scholastic honor society in the University Law Center. On Thursday, September 23 at noon, the Harris County Tax Assessor will deputize meeting attendees.

This meeting is open to all faculty, staff and students. To be deputized, an individual must be at least 18- years old. The Order will hold its own registration drive on campus from Sept. 27 – Oct. 1.

“Our efforts will even continue after the registration deadline on Oct. 4 in a ‘Get Out the Vote’ campaign,” said Kathleen Shifley, law student and Chief Baron. “It will focus not only on the national elections, but also on state elections. It is not enough to register people. We have to make sure that they cast their vote as well.”

During Voter Registration Week, other organizations including the Young Democrats and the Graduate School of Social Work Student Association also will conduct voter registration drives on campus (see list of registration sites for additional details).

In addition to the numerous registration drives on campus, Harris County voter registration forms are available in the University Center at the Student Information and Assistance Center and the Dean of Students Office. Forms also can be obtained at the service desks at Moody Towers and Oberholtzer Hall.

Registration forms also may be requested online through the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office at www.tax.co.harris.tx.us. Those living outside of Harris County should contact the tax assessor-collector’s office in their respective counties for registration information.

To vote in this year’s presidential election on Nov. 2, voters must be registered by Oct. 4.

“Registering to vote is an extremely easy, short process,” Shifley said. “Five minutes of your time and you can have a voice in what happens in your country. Every vote counts!”

Mike Emery
Memery@hotmail.com