Several times during the school year, Brandeis students elect representatives who advocate on their behalf. According to the Student Union Secretary Ana Yoselin Bugallo '03, however, "In the most popular election, only a quarter (about 800) of the students vote." This turnout, she said, has been the trend in recent years. In the Student Union presidential elections, nearly 800 votes were cast in both 2001 and 2002. "Presidential elections generate the highest turnout, while Senate elections fall far behind," Bugallo said.

In light of this observation, Brandeis boasted a higher voter turnout in this September's quad senator elections than in the past few years. Seven-hundred and sixty two students voted in total, compared to last year's 536.

First-years vote most often. Approximately 400 students live in each of the first-year residence quads and of these, 221 voted in the Massell Quad Senator election, and 200 in the North Quad Senator election.

This 50 percent turnout exceeds the level of voting campus-wide.
Bugallo attributes the lack of participation mostly to "voter apathy and misinformation."

As stated in a survey conducted by Youth Vote Coalition in July 2002, the three primary reasons that young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 do not vote is because: They do not care (19 percent), they believe that voting doesn't matter or make a difference (13 percent), or they are not informed (11 percent).
Len Pader '05 supported Bugallo's hypothesis. When asked if he voted this fall, he responded, "I meant to, but I forgot." On the whole, he added, "Teenagers are preoccupied with other things." Laziness was also a commonly cited reason for not voting, although no one was willing to owe up to this statement.

To counteract the apathy of students, the Student Union recently moved to online voting. This is the third year that people have been able to vote online.

Some people say they feel even though voting has moved to online, people still feel indifferent to the Brandeis elections, and feel more aware of national politics.

"I think the (national) government makes a difference; on the Brandeis level, people aren't as concerned," Pader said.

David Groman '03, affirmed this view. "People are apprehensive about voting at Brandeis because they don't see any direct rewards or results from the student government."
Groman said he believes the Student Union "does not represent a diverse sample of the student body."

Skye Morse '03, offered another perspective. "Things aren't so bad here," he said, explaining that we don't have an urgent need to vote. "I still vote," he said, "but I don't really put much stock in it."

Morse recalled that a few years ago, students wanted Brandeis to charter buses into Boston. In Morse's memory, more students voted then, because "there were things they really wanted."
Extending this idea to the national sphere, Morse said he feels that for many college students, especially those at Brandeis, "again, things are pretty good."

"Teenagers make up a large part of consumer society. Everyone has their cell phone and IMac. If we were really pressed, people would be more inclined to vote," Morse added.

"Whether we elect a Republican or a Democrat, our daily lives won't radically change. That's a good thing," Groman said.
These remarks are consistent with facts gathered by the U.S. Census Bureau: Thirty-six percent of 18 to 24 year-olds voted in the November 2000 election, the lowest percentage of all the age groups. There was a sharp increase to a 50.5 percent turnout in the 25 to 34 age range.

The small numbers in Brandeis elections, however place a greater emphasis on the individual vote.

"Brandeis voting is a good first step, a good way to introduce yourself to the democratic process . With only 700 votes, you can see that your vote really counts," Noah Cohen '05 said.
For example, in this fall's East Quad Senator election, Andrei Khots '05 defeated Bryan Kurtzberg '05 by only three votes; the count was 74 to 71.

Bugallo said she does not feel there is a particular demographic of Brandeis student who votes. "I think at one point or another, every student has an investment in Student Union, whether it be through his or her club, quad, or class."

She said she does wish for more consistent turnout. "It would be wonderful if as many people voted as went to Pachanga every semester.