Do you know how long it takes to register to vote in the 2008 elections? Do you know where you can enroll? How about less than a minute and right here on campus.
That’s thanks to the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), which has set up a voter enrollment table in BMCC’s main lobby. The table is open from approximately noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and is located outside Richard Harris Terrace.
NYPIRG, a non-profit, non-partisan group established to effect policy reforms while pushing students and state residents to be active in the political system, has staffed the station with knowledgeable workers, and stocked it with informational sheets about how to go about voting next year.
“Our main goal is to give students the opportunity to vote, regardless of political affiliation,” said Ryan Key, a project coordinator with NYPIRG, which was founded in 1973. Undecided students can always register under no party and change their affiliation later on.
So far, BMCC leads all CUNY schools in voter enrollment with more than 450 students signing up, according to Rachel Ratner, a co-coordinator with Key. “The students have been stopping by and you can tell they’re really putting thought into the election,” said Ratner. “You can tell they want to be involved. It’s really exciting.”
Key said they didn’t know what to expect in terms of student interest, but that students have more than surprised them. “We have tons of students coming up to us excited about the elections, asking all kinds of questions, looking for information,” he said.
If you’re unsure about your registration status, feel free to ask coordinators at the NYPIRG table for more information, or call 212-349-6460.
