By Kira Lesley
Liz Knights '07 is not a native Rhode Islander. But tonight, she'll be waiting along with longtime Ocean State residents to see the outcome of local elections and ballot measures. Although Knights is from Acton, Mass., she is registered to vote in Rhode Island.
When deciding whether to register in their home state or in Rhode Island, many Brown students weigh the influence they think their votes will have and their knowledge of candidates and issues.
Although Knights does not live far from campus, she said she registered in Rhode Island because she thought she would be more informed about local issues in the state where she spent most of the year. "Partially it was just for convenience and partially because I thought I'd end up knowing more about the local candidates in the Providence area than the local candidates in the Boston area," she said.
Knights said she doesn't want to vote in any election without being informed, and at this point she feels more informed on Rhode Island issues than Massachusetts issues.
Local residents believe it's important that students take time to inform themselves about local issues.
Professor of Religious Studies Susan Harvey said long-term residents sometimes see elections and local issues differently from students who are only living in Providence for four years. But she said she believes students who choose to vote in Rhode Island can be informed and responsible voters.
"Wherever you vote, you have a moral, an ethical obligation to know the issues and their long-term ramifications," she said.
Some students feel they are more informed about politics in their home states than Rhode Island politics.
Shepherd Laughlin '07 registered in his home state of Oklahoma because while Oklahoma and Rhode Island are both safe states - Republican and Democratic, respectively - he wants to vote in his hotly contested senatorial election.
"I still feel more connected to the political situation in Oklahoma than the political situation in Rhode Island," Laughlin said.
In addition, Laughlin said he wants to vote on Oklahoma's ballot measures, including the definition of marriage bill, which would define marriage as strictly between one man and one woman. Laughlin said he is against the bill, and although it is likely to pass, "symbolically, I'd really like to have my say in that."
"I feel more significant as a liberal in a conservative state than as just another liberal in Rhode Island," he said.
Most students agree that no matter where they register, they have a responsibility to stay abreast of current political issues. The question of where to register takes on added significance at a college like Brown, which is known for its political participation. But no matter where they chose to register this year, one thing students seem to agree on is that today's election is one of the most important in years.
