Spring Break
Van Rensselaer Hall new polling location
Stephanie Takach
Issue date: 10/17/08 Section: News
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This move comes following a petition filed last spring on behalf of Drexel Votes 2008 and a public hearing last month, according to a news release. The move also places the polling booth closer to the center of the Division and to most voters.
"The move of the polling location to Van R, in the center of Drexel's campus, will certainly make life more convenient for our students as well as some members of the community," Brian Keech, vice president for Government and Community Relations, said.
Keech also requested the move in response to the spirit of the Drexel Votes 2008 program and to encourage civic engagement at Drexel.
"The strong push by Drexel Votes 2008 and student organizations to register students to vote, for instance, will undoubtedly improve the turnout, particularly since the focus was upon Drexel students," Keech said.
Keech added that convenience is an important component of any effort to attract people, whatever the cause, and given the relatively low voter turnout among college-aged people, anything we can do to increase the participation level among Drexel students in this and subsequent elections is important.
Sean Miller, president of the Drexel Democrats, said it could definitely help voter turnout but it will not be a drastic change. He also said there will be a Drexel Votes 2008 table outside of the old voting place in case a few students show up there.
Tobey Oxholm, executive vice president and chief of staff, said he asked Keech if it would be possible to move the polling place from its original location onto Drexel's campus, closer to the heart of the precinct.
"I know he thought about several venues, but I thought his choice of Van R was simply brilliant: it is convenient for the whole community - Powelton as well as Drexel - is large enough to easily handle the voters and is so close to Ross Commons, which will greatly increase our students' ability to observe and participate in the electoral process," Oxholm said.
"Now it's up to the students to turn out in real force and demonstrate the power of their vote."
Drexel President Constantine Papadakis said Drexel is committed to public service and there is no public duty greater than exercising the right to vote, according to the news release.
"Having a polling place on our campus is exactly the right symbol for all of us. We thank the commissioners for their vote," Papadakis said.
The announcement was sent to Papadakis from Gary Ferris, polling place supervisor for the Philadelphia City Commissioners.
"The request came from the Democratic Ward Leader Lester Brown," Ferris said. "It was changed because he put in the request and it's back to the division where the people vote."
Lester Brown said that there are more people in the division on that end. He also said Drexel mentioned moving the polling place some time ago.
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