Using rented vans, the University of Massachusetts Democrats, Republican Club and the Student Government Association will spend the day shuttling students to Amherst polling stations in the first election without an on-campus voting center.
“This is a totally non-partisan service and we hope that students of all political affiliations will get out and vote in this very important primary,” said Matt Giancola, the president of the UMass Democrats.
The Republican Club and UMass Democrats, registered student organizations on campus, with the help of the Student Government Association, have rented out vans today to bring students registered as voters in Amherst out to the polls to participate in the Massachusetts primary as part of “Super Tuesday.”
“The UMass Republican Club and the UMass Democrats are working cooperatively and collaboratively in going to precincts in Amherst,” said Brad DeFlumeri, president of the Republican Club.
The vans, providing a free ride for student voters, are departing from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will be leaving from the Student Union and bringing students back to campus.
Since the SGA has dissolved the polling station in the Cape Cod Lounge, which served as the polling site for on-campus residents who are registered as Amherst citizens, students must now vote at precincts off campus.
“[We’re] ensuring that college students have a say in the Massachusetts Primary,” said DeFlumeri.
The UMass community is divided among three locations, the Immanuel Lutheran Church on North Pleasant Street, the Bangs Community Center on Boltwood Walk, and the Wildwood Elementary School on Strong Street.
Voters that are registered as independent may choose either a democratic or republican ballot.
“The UMass Democrats strongly encourage students to get involved in campus, regional and national politics,” said Giancola. They are working to increase student participation in political processes by organizing events like today’s polling station shuttles.
Tomorrow in the Cape Cod Lounge, a table will be set up with more information on where residents can vote and what van students should be on.
Kristen Healy can be reached at student.umass.edu.
