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The Associated Students of Portland State University (ASPSU) have spent every day of the last three weeks working to reach out to the students at Portland State University and educate them about the impacts of Measure 28 and encouraging a high voter turnout, especially among students.

“As an elected body we [ASPSU] understand the importance of representation, and having your voice heard. This is why ASPSU spends time educating voters and urging them to turn in their ballots,” said Kelvin Nicholson, ASPSU University Affairs Director.

ASPSU is a student elected student government that works directly on issues that affect the students at Portland State University. At every election, ASPSU organizes a Voter Registration drive as well as a Get Out The Vote (GOTV) drive as a means of building a strong student voting bloc, and encouraging youth to become engaged in the electoral process.

In January 2003, ASPSU has continued its youth-vote efforts in a number of ways to encourage a high voter turnout. Representatives from ASPSU have spoken to students in about 40 classrooms all over campus to date, with more classroom presentations to come over the next two school days.

“The voter education efforts of ASPSU this term have been very timely and valuable. Their presentation at the beginning of my classes has been received very well,” said Scott Parker, PSU professor.

Members of ASPSU have also met with directly with individual students in the student union to discuss the importance of voting in the special election, as well as spending weeknights calling registered voters and reminding them to turn their ballots in. In addition to all of this, ASPSU has attempted to reach more students that they were unable to have direct contact with by distributing informative flyers all over the PSU campus.

“This election affects every student whether they are in favor of, or against ballot measure 28. As the student government on this campus, it’s our responsibility to continue to educate students about the issues that face all of us, and to encourage their participation,” ASPSU President Kristin Wallace said.