MPIRG, MSA reach out to achieve their goals

Published November 5, 2008

As reported in the Daily today, the Minnesota Public Interest Research Group and the Minnesota Student Association went to all 11 residence halls and surrounding areas to get young voters to the polls.

MPIRG Executive Director Josh Winters said over 200 volunteers from the metro area knocked on every door in every University residence hall between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. today. He said although the majority of people they spoke with had already voted, there were some who had planned on not voting and were persuaded by volunteers.

Winters said he told them elected officials pay attention when young people vote and that that’s a large part of what this election is all about.

"The environment, affordable quality higher education, affordable housing, current economic crisis … are going to be decided by the people we elect today. And if we don’t get our voice heard in that process, it’s just not going to happen," Winters said.

MPIRG and MSA volunteers also helped explain how the voting process works; what people should bring with them and where their polling places are.

Ryan Kennedy, who helped organize the event said that MPIRG made over 3,000 phone contacts to remind people to get out and vote.

Other areas that volunteers traveled to included Bierman Place Apartments, Melrose Place Apartments, Dinkytown and Como areas, as well as other college campuses including St. Thomas, Hamline, Augsburg and Macalester.

After 5:00 p.m., volunteers were sent to the two-hour line outside of the superblock with cocoa, pizza and coffee to make sure people stay to cast their vote.

The Minnesota Daily

The Minnesota Daily

The Minnesota Daily

MPIRG, MSA reach out to achieve their goals

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