Poll: Half of students likely to vote

While many of the Lawrenceville and Princeton students polled this week were quick to offer suggestions as to what the most important issues are in the 2007 New Jersey Legislative Election, only 51 percent said it was very or somewhat likely they that would vote.

Forty-nine percent of respondents said they are very or somewhat unlikely to head to the polls.

These are the results of an unsystematic survey of 172 Lawrenceville and Princeton students who were residents of New Jersey.

“Everyone should vote, especially in our age group in order for representatives to know what the younger population wants,” said one student.

A lack of interest and awareness about the issues, being away at school, and mounting academic demands are reasons students gave when asked what would affect the likelihood they vote on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

“I have classes all day from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. — then I have to drive home [and] it might be too late by the time I get home,” said a student who is somewhat likely to vote.

“[I am] not aware of issues in the legislative elections” said a respondent very unlikely to vote. “So, I wouldn’t even know what I’m voting [and] not voting for.”

A question inquiring about the most important issues in the election received a wide range of responses.

The war in Iraq, education, the environment, stem cell research and taxes were among the most important issues noted by students.

“Getting rid of corruption,” was the defining issue for one respondent.

“Impossible to tell who is lying about what they can do and who is telling the truth” was the reason a student was somewhat unlikely to vote.

Still, one student very likely to vote gave a reason that stands out above the rest.

“My interest [is] in seeing change in New Jersey,” the student wrote.

To find out more information about your state representatives visit www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/legsearch.asp.