First Time Voters Flock to Bird Library

Tuesday, November 4th, 2008

Syracuse University junior Katherine Abikarram ran out of a voting booth after voting, yelling, "I just voted!"? Her friend, Jenna Jabinsky, eagerly waited in line. Abikarram and Jabinsky were two of an expected 1,000 voters who turned out at Syracuse University's Bird Library Tuesday to vote in the 2008 presidential election. Many of the Syracuse University students who turned out were first time voters with strong political views, like Abikarram."I just want Obama to win," she said. "I want change.”

Twelve polling inspectors worked from 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM, assisting voters. Elections inspector Gloria Paul said that a lot of first time voters who did not register within in Onondaga County wrongly assumed they could vote. "They show up not registered in the county with their ID in their hand, thinking that's enough to vote because that's what their mothers told them," she said. The students were given affidavits or turned away.

Many student voters were looking ahead to Election Night. After voting, three African-American freshmen women discussed their plans as well as their reactions if Obama won. All three agreed that if Obama won they would celebrate but still go to class. Krystal Hardy was the most emotional and overcome with pride. "I'll finally walk with my head high," she said.

Cazenovia College seniors Jessica Addison and Autumn College volunteered as poll workers, monitoring voting booths. They had no party affiliation but said they voted for Barack Obama. "There's bigger turnout among college students because it's change," Addison said. "He's the guy reaching out to all ages and ethnicities."