UB Gets Out the Vote: UB/BPS Partnership Registers High School Students for Fall Election

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- University at Buffalo student volunteers canvassed 12 Buffalo Public Schools today registering 18-year-old high school students to vote in the November election and acting as mentors in the power of the democratic process.

Organized by the UB/Buffalo Public Schools Partnership, the local Kids Voting Western New York effort began with a kickoff event this morning in the Hutchinson Central Technical High School library where UB President John B. Simpson and Buffalo Public Schools Superintendent James A. Williams helped register the students.

Those taking part in the Kids Voting Western New York campaign hope to register at least 50 high school students at each of the 12 city schools participating in the voter registration. These students will then be eligible to vote at the polling location of their choice.

"UB is very proud to be a partner with our local public schools in the Kids Voting Program," said Simpson. "A democracy depends upon having educated citizens who are prepared to make informed decisions about the policies and elected leaders that govern us. Kids Voting plays an important role in preparing the next generation of voters and leaders to become knowledgeable, thoughtful and engaged participants in civic life."

Williams also emphasized the crucial role voting plays in the democratic process, pointing out the landmark nature of this year's election.

"No matter your core political beliefs, it is critical that everyone, especially young adults, exercise their right to vote in this historic election," said Williams. " We are either going to elect the first African-American President or the first woman as Vice President, and the young men and young women of Buffalo have a direct say in who will lead our country during these difficult social and economic times. History will be made this year.

"Generations of men and women struggled and fought to ensure every person, regardless of color or gender, can participate in the democratic process of choosing our great nation's leaders," Williams said. "And we should never take this precious gift for granted."

The Kids Voting Western New York effort will also engage students from kindergarten to Grade 12 in simulated voting at schools throughout Western New York. Participating are all Buffalo Public schools, 19 suburban schools, 13 Catholic schools and four charter schools. More than 101,000 students are expected to vote in this simulated voting campaign.

Online voting for these students begins Oct. 21 at individual schools. The results of this underage student voting will be posted on the Kids Voting Western New York Web site at http://www.kidsvotingny.com/index.htm on Nov. 6.

Kids Voting Western New York is part of a national bi-partisan effort to encourage children to be educated, responsible voters. The goal of the program is to teach students about government and democracy through classroom lessons, hands-on activities and family dialogue, all of which culminate in an authentic voting experience. Kids Voting Western New York is sponsored locally by UB, the Buffalo News and the Buffalo Alliance for Education.

For more information, call Charles Anzalone at UB's Office of University Communications at (716) 645-5000, ext. 1412.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system, and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.