Oliver Utne ’08 and Sean Watson ’08 have organized an independent campaign to persuade the Administration to let students travel to swing states on Nov. 1 and 2.
Watson and Utne developed a petition asking that not be penalized for missing classes or work around Election Day.
They reported that 63 percent of people who signed their petition were interested in traveling over the weekend. Those who did not plan to travel expressed concern over missing classes and not having the resources to get to swing states.
“I wish I could say I was pleased with the political atmosphere of Wes at this point,” Watson said. “People here seemed to be more concerned with gendered bathrooms than with the future of this country.”
Determined not to irritate undecided voters, Utne and Watson chose not to align with WesDems or other left-leaning groups on campus.
“Originally, ours was a non-partisan plan to get out the vote in the swing states,” Utne said. “We figured if we labeled ourselves Democrats our proposal to the Administration would not be as convincing.”
Although they received 350 signatures, they found the Administration unreceptive.
“The Administration kept on putting us off until we realized it was too late to propose anything,” Watson said.
Students traveling to Pennsylvania over the weekend will join the Kerry campaign as it works to counter the efforts of the Bush camp there.
Many students from states considered a shoo-in for Kerry feel that their votes are meaningless. Watson and Utne expressed how this endeavor is an opportunity for students looking to make a difference.
“Not to demean those who actually are doing things to help in this important election, but if everyone feels so strongly, why is only a small minority doing something?” Utne. said
“What matters more than anything is getting others to follow in your path,” Watson said.
Lauren Goldman ’08 plans to leave campus Monday night and travel with friends to Pennsylvania. Goldman has no ambivalence about missing classes for her activism.
“This election is a crucial period in our lives,” Goldman said. “If Bush takes Pennsylvania on Tuesday, I wouldn’t forgive myself because it is in my capability to do something.”
Anay Shah ’05, who attended the Democratic National Convention, is skeptical.
“I am not completely convinced about the role of volunteers for the weekend before Nov. 2 but I am willing to take the DNC’s, MoveOn’s, ACT’s, etc. word for it and recruit people to go to Philly,” he said. “We have all heard the reasons, but really I could stay on campus and get drunk wearing a silly costume and sit in front of the TV on Nov. 2.”
Although Watson said there’s a feeling on campus that some Wesleyan students are more talk than action, he and Utne are optimistic about the political climate on campus in these last few days.
“I honestly don’t think there is a large number of completely apathetic voters on this campus,” Watson said. “For the most part, people are very steadfast in their beliefs and sense the urgency of this election. I don’t think, though, that these people realize what a difference they can make.”
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