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Talk about disenfranchisement

Posted on 11/01/2004 4:49:46 PM PST by repub_phdstudent

I am a 22-year old living and attending school in New York City, and I have been an avid supporter of our President from day one. I re-registered to vote two months ago in my hometown, which is located in Essex county, New Jersey, after having been registered in the town of my undergraduate institution for the last four years. I also applied for an absentee ballot, anticipating that because I had just moved to NYC to begin my graduate school career at NYU, I would probably not have the opportunity to return to New Jersey on election day. My registration card came, but I never received my absentee ballot. Now, I am at a loss and it appears as if I will be unable to vote.

As if my inability to be heard as a young American who stands to inherit this wonderful country some day is not upsetting me enough, to hear of other young college-aged students who are currently attending Rutgers University in the middle portion of New Jersey, not receiving their ballots angers me more. These are students who will get to vote for the first time--I had my chance four years ago when I turned 18. These are students who also come from New Jersey and have the opportunity to show the rest of the country that 911 was a real event, that Homeland Security is a real issue, and that even a state that historically votes the Democrat ticket is not blinded by the letter next to each candidates' name. Is it not strange that some of my Democrat constituents have received their ballots?

I did my part and 'wrote my Senator' but he has not responded. I hope and pray that it has not been a significant number of residents who have been disenfranchised in New Jersey. Every vote for President Bush will count and it is deterring and disheartening that many of our voices will not be heard, simply because we are trying to become educated and productive citizens.


TOPICS: US: New Jersey; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: disenfranchisement; education; election; votefraud
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This is my first thread, but it is something that I had to put out there. I hope that everyone can get out there and vote tomorrow...
1 posted on 11/01/2004 4:49:46 PM PST by repub_phdstudent
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To: repub_phdstudent

Go to the Port Authority, take a bus to Essex County. Vote.

It's that simple.


2 posted on 11/01/2004 4:51:19 PM PST by Kiss Me Hardy
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To: repub_phdstudent
The same sort of thing happened to me, but I had a screaming fit at the county elections office. Yesterday I received my sample ballot priority mail in a special envelope! Don't just stand for this, get on the phone and demand to vote!!
3 posted on 11/01/2004 4:52:25 PM PST by ladyinred (John Kerry has a plan to change the national symbol of an Eagle to a Chicken)
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To: repub_phdstudent

Cut class, jump on the train and go vote in person.


4 posted on 11/01/2004 4:53:04 PM PST by orangelobster
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To: Kiss Me Hardy

Simple for you, maybe....but not so for a grad student.


5 posted on 11/01/2004 4:53:16 PM PST by anniegetyourgun
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To: Kiss Me Hardy

Tell me which bus stop in Essex and I will pick Him/her up and take him/her back to the bus stop!


6 posted on 11/01/2004 4:53:32 PM PST by Repub4bush
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To: repub_phdstudent
I have to say that I waited until kind of late to request my (Missouri) absentee ballot, but it arrived within days, and went back Saturday. Very quick and efficient here.

And the voter registration card says 'Bring picture ID.' You've got to like that about your state.

7 posted on 11/01/2004 4:55:42 PM PST by atomicpossum (If there are two Americas, John Edwards isn't qualified to lead either of them.)
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To: repub_phdstudent

Call Jesse Jackson.


8 posted on 11/01/2004 4:56:01 PM PST by michigander (The Constitution only guarantees the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.)
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To: anniegetyourgun

I was a grad student as well (at $885/credit)

Some things are a bit more important.....like voting.


9 posted on 11/01/2004 4:57:24 PM PST by fastattacksailor (Friends don't let friends vote sKerry!)
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To: anniegetyourgun

You're right. I forgot the old adage:

He's got more degrees than an anal thermometer, but the thermometer is still smarter.

Don't take that personally, grad student, unless you don't exercise your franchise in a state that we have a chance of winning.


10 posted on 11/01/2004 4:58:08 PM PST by Kiss Me Hardy
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To: repub_phdstudent
Just out of curiosity, is NYU loaded with rats or what is the makeup of the student body politically?
11 posted on 11/01/2004 5:00:15 PM PST by rodguy911 ( President Reagan---all the rest.)
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To: repub_phdstudent

If you got your registration card, you are registered to vote. This IS the most important election of our times and that means whatever it takes you get back to your city of registration and to your polling place and VOTE.


12 posted on 11/01/2004 5:01:42 PM PST by Ruth C (learn to analyze rationally and extrapolate consequences ... you might become a conservative)
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To: anniegetyourgun

This med student cuts probably half of her classes, and still does fine.

Of course, I don't hear terribly well, so even if I'm in lecture I still wind up learning it on my own. But that's another issue.

One can attend class any day of the week. One only gets to vote for President once every four years.

I say ditch class and go vote.


13 posted on 11/01/2004 5:02:40 PM PST by AQGeiger (Have you hugged your soldier today?)
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To: rodguy911

NYU is completely liberal, especially the faculty. They have one Republican group, which was organized by the Republican law students. I have aligned myself with the group even though I am not a law student. It's rough living here with that mentality all around me, but it makes me stronger and more deeply-rooted in my beliefs.


14 posted on 11/01/2004 5:04:02 PM PST by repub_phdstudent ((one of the few Republican 22-year old academians in the Northeast!))
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To: repub_phdstudent

Out of curiosity, what are you studying?


15 posted on 11/01/2004 5:04:56 PM PST by AQGeiger (Have you hugged your soldier today?)
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To: repub_phdstudent
Keep up the good work, you remind me of my nephew, his heroes are Michael Savage and Rush, you will do well. And as far as voting goes, we probably don't have to tell you what to do. You are more than smart enough to figure it out.
16 posted on 11/01/2004 5:07:00 PM PST by rodguy911 ( President Reagan---all the rest.)
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To: AQGeiger

Out of curiosity, what are you studying?


Cognition and Perception--a branch of experimental Psychology (not clinical, although I'm well-versed in that area of the field as well...)


17 posted on 11/01/2004 5:07:40 PM PST by repub_phdstudent ((one of the few Republican 22-year old academians in the Northeast!))
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To: repub_phdstudent
Cognition and Perception--a branch of experimental Psychology (not clinical, although I'm well-versed in that area of the field as well...)

Does that mean you could explain scientifically why liberals have such poor cognition of the facts and such a skewed perception of reality? :)

BTW, welcome to FR.

18 posted on 11/01/2004 5:12:26 PM PST by AQGeiger (Have you hugged your soldier today?)
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To: repub_phdstudent

Take the Path to Newark and vote at home!!!


19 posted on 11/01/2004 5:12:44 PM PST by agrace
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To: repub_phdstudent


I also have to add, just go to your town.

It's important. Catch a bus at the port or hit MSG and take the train. Going to cost you around 10-12 bucks and a few hours, but I went to college for 6 years, I know you can blow off 4 hours during the day and make it up if it's critical.


20 posted on 11/01/2004 5:13:05 PM PST by Malsua
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