SA R68 (2014-2015): Call for a Voting Space on the Cornell Campu

Accepted by the President

• Resolution:
  SA R68 (2014-2015): Call for a Voting Space on the Cornell Campu
• Day:
  June 2, 2015
• Action:
  Accepted by the President
• Summary / Notes:
  Accepted voting guide, refused to call for an additional voting space from County officials
• File Attachments:
• Text Attachment:
  Dear Sarah,
  
  Thank you for sharing Resolution 68: Call for a Voting Space on the Cornell Campus. I support the voting guide and registration forms initiative, provided the guide has inputs and buy-in from other active student political party organizations during any given year, and that the Willard Straight Hall Student Union Board is in agreement. The Office of Community Relations in 110 Day Hall also provides voter registration forms on a year-round basis, reflecting Cornell’s obligation under the Higher Education Act to provide voter registration materials.
  
  Regarding your request for me to write a statement calling for a voting space on campus, I will demur. We already have one campus polling place that is regularly used — in the Alice Cook House — and the Board of Elections also used the Robert Purcell Union as a polling place until 2013. The establishment of any new campus polling places requires professional analyses and data, and without an established need and context, I do not believe it would be appropriate for me to write county officials with this request.
  
  If you would like to pursue the location of polling places further, I suggest Student Assembly representatives meet with the Tompkins County Board of Elections for advice. The Office of Community Relations is willing to assist, if needed.
  
  Thank you for your concern for getting our students registered to vote and increasing their accessibility to polling places; it is an important civic duty.
  
  Regards,
  
  David Skorton