By Margaux Hendrick
Pulse Staff Reporter

November 7 is the day voters will select the next leader of our nation. Those who choose to vote will make a decision that will affect each of our lives.

Historically, Americans between the ages of 18 to 24 years turn out in low numbers at the voting polls. In the 1996 federal elections, there were 24 million eligible voters in this age group, yet only about 8 million made the effort, according to the Federal Election Commission.

In an effort to increase this number and get Palo Alto students involved in the voting process, voter registration was offered in Palo Alto's Cafeteria from Sept. 7 to Oct. 10. During the one-month effort, more than 180 students were registered, according to Jesus Reyes, a freshman Social Work major, who undertook this task. So why do people vote, or why do people choose not to vote? Some, like John Isfahani, a sophomore Criminology major, think, “It's a waste of time.” But others, like Capt. Allan Hagelthorn, who dedicated 20 years of his life to the U.S. Air Force, believe “Voting is a right that many have fought and died for.” Peter Meyers, an assistant professor of History on our campus, said that voting is the “Easiest thing to do in a democratic state.”

Today in America, voting is a national right. Historically though, it has not always been a right with equal accessibility. Louis Armstrong, an African-American Instructor of History, exercises his right to vote, but his father had to wait until 1956 to make his voice heard through the power of a vote. Armstrong's father had the legal right to vote but was held back by stipulations that made being able to vote extremely difficult for Blacks in the South. In addition, women did not receive the right to vote until 1920 when the Nineteenth Amendment was passed. Even today in some parts of the world, women are not allowed the privilege of voting.People look for many different qualities in a candidate.

“I look to see what they are going to do for me,” said Alberta Baza, a 58- year-old divorced mother of five. Baza suffers from severe asthma and is extremely concerned with health care issues because they affect her life on a daily basis.

Enrique Solis, Palo Alto's President, takes to heart “the role the government will play in promoting the welfare of the people” when choosing a candidate. Solis said that it is a person's “duty” to vote.

Citizens will have the choice to exercise their duty to vote on Nov. 7. The choices made by those who vote will be choices we all have to live with. The information that follows is provided to assist voters' decision-making.

Secretary of State:

1-800-252-8683

Vote Smart:

1-888-VOTE-SMART

Local Voter Registration:

210-335-6625

League of Women Voters:

San Antonio: 210-226-3520

Texas: 512-472-1100

Bexar County Elections:

210-335-0362

Helpful Web Sites:

Project Vote Smart: www.vote-smart.org

C-SPAN: www.c-span.org

Speak Out: www.speakout.com

Issues 2000: www.issues2000.com

Election Day Voting:

Tues., Nov. 7, 2000, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

On Election Day, voters can vote only at the precinct where they are registered.

In order to find your specific precinct, look at the number on your voter registration

card or call (210) 335-6625 for help.

Early Voting begins Oct. 21, 2000-Nov. 3, 2000.

Any registered voter can vote during these dates.

Places nearby for early election voting:

Westlakes Mall

South Park Mall

Ingram Mall

HEB located at 3323 S.E. Military

HEB located at 400 Valley High Dr

Early Voting Times:

Sat., Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sun., Oct. 22, 12 p.m.-6 p.m.

Mon., Oct. 23-Fri., Oct. 27,

8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 28, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Sun., Oct. 29, 12 p.m.-6 p.m.

Mon., Oct. 30-Fri., Nov. 3,

8 a.m.-8 p.m.