U. Alabama Students Anticipate Long Lines At The Polls
This story was written by Josh Veazey, The Crimson White
Every University of Alabama student polled anticipates standing in some kind of line to vote Tuesdayand everyone said they will stay as long as it takes.
Savannah Hoover, a freshman majoring in education, plans to go to the polls around 2 p.m. to vote for Republican candidate Sen. John McCain, citing the Iraq war and the economy as deciding issues.
I think it will be very crowded all day, Hoover said. But I think its a very important election, and every vote counts.
Troy Farsoun, a senior majoring in English, said he plans to vote at 5 p.m. and expects to encounter a crowd because of people getting off work.
I didnt get a chance to vote in the last election and since then my political views have been progressing toward Democrats, Farsoun said. I wanted to have the chance to vote and feel like I had something to contribute to the country.
Farsoun said he plans to vote for Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama, citing McCains age and his uncertainty with Gov. Sarah Palin.
I think Obama might actually be able to do something with the country instead of going down the same path that we have been, Farsoun said.
Cole Moten, a freshman majoring in business, said he plans to go to the Student Recreation Center at 7 a.m. to work out and then stand in line to vote.
Ill have to leave at 12, because of class, but then Ill be back. Ill be there all day if I have to, Moten said. Ill miss class for it if I have to, because this is a big event.
Darnell Thomas, a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering, said he plans to walk to the Student Recreation Center at 8 a.m. to work out and vote.
Im getting there early, so in case something goes awry, I can straighten everything out and go back, Thomas said.
Kendall Mays, a freshman majoring in journalism, said he plans to vote around 9 a.m. at the Rec center, and said he is voting for Obama because of his foreign policy and economic policies.
He doesnt cut himself off from the rest of the worldwell actually have peace talks with people, even with those who are potentially dangerous to the U.S., Mays said. I think [Obamas economic plan] gives people who have been disenfranchised a chance to come back up.
Ellen Leigh, a sophomore whose major is undeclared, said she will brave lunchtime crowds around noon, and said she hasnt decided yet who to vote for.
I dont like either candidate a lot, so I am just deciding which is the lesser of two evils, Leigh said. Its going to be really crowded, but Im going to wait it out, because its my first time to vote.
Lisa Gailey, freshman majoring in political science, decided to vote absentee in her home state of South Carolina to vote for her incumbent representative there.
All the debates were finished when I voted, and I had already made up my mind a while ago who I was going to vote for, Gailey said. Nothing thats happened so far [is] going to sway my vote either way.
Though she voted Republican for everything else, Gailey said she voted for Obama because she agrees with him on social issues and feels his economic plan will be better for lower-class Americans.
You cant just think about yourself. Im from a middle-class white family, but you have to think about other people, Gailey said.
The CrimsonRide will offer rides from the Ferguson Center to the Rec center from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Students can wear apparel endorsing a candidate, but all campaigning must be done at least 30 feet from the building.
The Tuscaloosa Annex is located downtown at 2501 Seventh St.
The following are acceptedform of ID to vote:
Drivers license
ACTion card
Social security card
Employee identification with photo of employee
A utility bill, bank statement, or paycheck
A valid Alabama hunting, fishing, or gun license
A birth certificate
A valid U.S. military ID
For a complete list, go to alabamavotes.gov.