Obama wins mock vote

By Mary Georgevich

There are two reasons that environmental and peace studies major Ricky Alexander said he is voting: Sen. Barack Obama and California proposition eight, which would prevent same-sex marriage if approved.

He said Obama's clear desire to withdraw troops from Iraq, as well as his opposition to the initial invasion, is a demonstration of the candidate's morality.

"This is by far, the biggest moral issue of our foreign policy," Alexander said.

"I'm openly gay," he said. "I really want to get married someday and to have equal rights."

A majority of the students that voted in this week's Mock the Vote, sponsored by the Chartered Student Organizations, agreed with Alexander on these issues.

Obama, the Democratic candidate for president, won with 69 percent of the 584 votes cast. The Republican candidate, Sen. John McCain, came in second with 25.3 percent of the vote.

The proposition that received the most votes -- proposition eight -- was voted down by 79.7 percent of the voters. This proposition would eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry.

The Mock the Vote election was held to determine the student body's views on issues from the campaign, as well as to generate excitement for the election

Ralph Nader, an independent, Cynthia McKinney of the Green party, Mike Gravel, a Libertarian and Gloria La Riva from the Party for Socialism and Liberation each received less than one percent of the vote. Libertarian Bob Barr won 1.2 percent of the vote, and Ron Paul, a write-in candidate, received 0.01 percent.

Proposition four, which would require a waiting period and parental notification before a minor can receive an abortion, was voted down, with only 34.6 percent of voters favoring it.

The renewable energy generation initiative statute, or proposition seven, was approved by 79.7 percent of the voters.

Bonds for alternative fuel vehicles and renewable energy were favored by 81.6 percent of the 501 voters.

Alicia Nguyen, director of the Multicultural Center, said she's planning on voting in California.

"It's good to educate yourself on what's going on," she said. "That's our future."

Nick Arb, a marketing major, said he will be voting in Missouri by absentee ballot.

He said he hasn't decided which candidate he would like to support.

"Is it time for change or do we need proven leadership?" he asked. "I feel both parties have something to offer."

For Arb, the economy is an important issue because of his student loans.

"I need the economy to do well so I can pay them off," he said.

Umang Desai, vice president of Associated Students, said he hopes the 67 students that voted on eCampus but aren't registered to vote in the real election will register before it is too late.

"While I would have wished for more participation in the Mock the Vote," he said. "I hope the 60 or so students will find a way to vote."

He said Mock the Vote achieved its purpose of helping to educate students about the issues that will be decided in the California election by placing links to information online in the vote.

Activities Programming Board, Associated Students, KSCU, Multicultural Center, Santa Clara Community Action Program, Santa Clara Review, The Redwood and The Santa Clara combined their efforts to put on Rock the Vote week.

As a part of Rock the Vote week, they have also been tabling in Benson Memorial Center to help students find information on registering and absentee ballots.

"I'm happy that the CSOs came together," Nguyen said. "We're trying to work together as students for one cause."

Contact Mary Georgevich at (408) 554-4546 or mgeorgevich@scu.edu.