No Excuses 2004 pledge drive informs new voters

By Colleen Griffiths
News Editor

The No Excuses 2004 campaign attracted many students from across campus to pledge to vote in the Nov. 2 presidential election.

The Student Government Association, Young Democrats, African American Student Organization and College Republicans organized the event to help encourage college students to be informed voters.

“We are trying to promote unity on campus among all students,” AASO secretary Nicolas Grice said.

Voter registration forms were available for those who were not able to register before the deadline date in early October.

“We're just trying to get people to vote. We are registering people even though they can't vote in this election; we're trying to make people aware of the candidates,” said Amanda Blackwood, a member of the College Republicans.

A large number of students were present for the No Excuses campaign, many of them first-time voters.

“Everyone in my family has voted, and I wanted to be heard. I wanted to have a say in the government, because it will affect me, just like everyone else,” said Michelle Mak, who had already registered and filled out a pledge card.

Marquis Benitez, 19, said he thinks the college demographic can change the election.

“I just want to vote. I believe that if everybody starts voting, we can make a difference,” Benitez said.

The four organizations were working together to get students to fill out voter pledge cards for the Common Cause Education Fund in Washington, D.C.

The Education Fund is an education and research affiliate of Common Cause, which is a nonpartisan organization designed to encourage citizens to take political action and hold their elected leaders accountable to the public interest.

Under Common Cause, UNCP is participating in a competition with 16 other campuses across North Carolina to turn in the highest number of pledge cards.

“There are two contests; one for the most number of pledges and one for the greatest percent of pledges,” Youth Outreach Director for Common Cause Jonathan Ducote said. “Pembroke is currently winning with the most pledges.”

If UNCP wins the competition, SGA will receive $2,000.