University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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Ik.- ' ' 4 Graduation

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Peter Nielsen Bill Clinton democrats laijout and stonj bu, emma rarlwricjm Reel Ike Vole Bob Dole on republicans For many University students, the 1 996 Presi- students waiting to cast their votes not only for dential Election was the first time they exercised their right to vote. While many had voted for Congressional candidates or on national and local issues, for many students this was their first presi- dential election. I felt like I was doing my Ameri- can duty, said first- year student Megan O ' Brien after she voted. In line with tradi- tional voting patterns, there was a much larger turnout in this election because it was a presi- dential election. Music Television ' s (MTV) Choose or Lose Bus came to campus at the end of September, and gave out free t-shirts in an effort to urge stu- dents to vote. The Rock the Vote campaign al- lowed students to trans- fer their voter registra- tions to Ann Arbor. Throughout the early fall student volunteers stood in the Diag and helped students register to vote. This alleviated the prob- lems and hassles of absentee ballots. Yet. many students preferred to vote by mail. I am much more interested and informed about the elections at home than I am about the elections here, said sophomore Matt Kirshner who voted by absentee ballot on issues and candidates in his home state of Massachusetts. Sarah Smucker nior English major Peter Kaye casts his vote during the 1996 general election. Students voted for the President of the United States, state senators, congressional representatives, the Ann Arbor mayor and University Regents. In addition, there were many ballot measures to vote on, including bear hunting and casino gambling. candidates, but also ballot issues. Local ballot proposals ranged from casino gambling in Detroit to outlawing certain bear hunting practices throughout the state. However, there was more to the election than what occurred on J TTTSH Nov. 5. For weeks and months prior to the elec- tion, politically active students campaigned for candidates. The College Republicans repeatedly chalked campus sidewalks urg- ing students to vote for Senator Bob Dole. On the other hand, del- egates of the Demo- cratic National Conven- tion sent email to all College Democrats. The email explained President Bill Clinton ' s stance on various is- sues. Supporters of Congresswoman Lynn Rivers campaigned in front of the Michigan Union the day before elections. On election day, a banner hung over the en- trance to the Union and read Voice Your Vote. Inside there were posters and signs reminding students of the importance of the day. Despite these campaigns encouraging people to vote, many did not get out to the polls. I really didn ' t keep up with the campaign, and I didn ' t know the issues, so Sarah Smucker Voting sites around campus were filled with I didn ' t vote, said junior Mark Strohmaier. Respite the long line, students anxiously await their opportunity to vote at the Union. South Quad, East Quad, Markley Hall, and the Michigan League were also used as polling sites. For most students, this was their first chance to vote in a presidential election. There was a concentrated effort by various campus groups to register students to vote in the NOV. 5 election. Presidential Election 4- 23

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I l l - ic . A. ' m, JK break tin ' somher mf odofi i ; ;:!.;: : ' W hy Tossing to fellow graduate s during commencement i monies held at Michigan Stadium. Approximately 6. 1?? undergraduates received their degrees in May after years of hard work and life-shaping e. f eriencc . In addition to this lar ;e ceremonv. some of the smaller colleges within the University held their own graduation festivities.