BU Student Helps Change History

Today is Election Day. A day when a new leader of the nation is selected, causing America’s future to be altered. The students of Bloomsburg University are directed to Kehr Union in order to vote in the presidential election.

Jill Schmidt, a BU student, waits patiently for a chance to vote.

Jill Schmidt, a first time voter, walks into Multipurpose rooms A and B of Kehr Union, she is greeted by a long, noisy line of students who are also waiting to cast their ballots. As she walks to the back of the room, she finds the end of the line and begins her wait.

Volunteers from both the Republican and Democratic parties are pacing from one end of the room to the other carrying pizza, donuts and drinks to all the students who are taking time from their day to vote.

“I think everyone should vote,” said Schmidt. “If people don’t feel like they know enough, they should read up on the candidates and vote.”

Deciding on the right candidate to vote for this presidential election was a bit difficult for Schmidt. After being bombarded by Obama supporters on campus, Schmidt felt as though they helped her make up her mind.

“I was back and forth with choosing a candidate at first,” said Schmidt after declining a cup of water a volunteer offered her. “After the strong and rude comments about McCain from my roommate and the Obama supporters around campus, I feel they pushed me to decide to vote for the Republican presidential candidate.”

However, Schmidt will be happy with whoever wins the presidential election because she thinks they will both make great presidents.

Still undiscouraged by the span of the line, Schmidt nevertheless waits patiently to get her chance to make a difference in history. She believes that students and staff of the university did a great job in getting people to come out and vote. Schmidt believes that they should have more voting areas on campus for students because she feels that students will get discouraged after seeing the length of the line.

“The volunteers are doing an awesome job by offering students little extras like the food and drinks to keep them from leaving,” said Schmidt. “One volunteer even asked the room what music they wanted to listen to while waiting. I think they really went the extra mile.”