MUH to enlighten voters on candidates, issues in race for U.S. presidency

January 7, 2008

Miami University Hamilton wants its students and area residents to hit the polls in force in the 2008 primary and presidential elections, well informed about the candidates and key issues facing the United States.

Three programs -- all free and open to the public -- will be offered on campus Jan. 28-30. Light refreshments will be served.

The first, scheduled for 12:30-1:30 p.m. Mon., Jan. 28, in the Wilks Conference Center, will be a Lincoln-Douglas style debate on the statement: Every vote counts and every citizen in America should vote in presidential elections.

The second, scheduled for 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tues., Jan. 29, also in Wilks, will include experts among Miami faculty on central issues in the 2008 presidential election and candidates’ stances on those issues.This is an opportunity to ask the burning questions about campaign topics.

The third program is oriented for students and scheduled for 7 p.m. Wed., Jan. 30, in Parrish Auditorium. In this program, Richard Shenkman, associate professor of history at George Mason University and a frequent political commentator on national television networks, will discuss The Seven Habits of Highly-Effective Voters.

Key information such as voter registration deadlines and details, as well as party primary and presidential election dates, will be provided, according to Annie Miller, Coordinator of Student Activities.

The voter education campaign is sponsored by the Office of the Campus Dean.

“Our goal is to reduce voter apathy and spark new interest by enlightening people – particularly students and younger Americans who may not see the importance or value of an individual vote, “ according to Dr. Daniel Hall, Miami Hamilton Campus Dean.

For more information, contact Miller at 785-1892, mille152@muohio.edu.