Electronic Highways
Web offers insights into election
In case you haven’t heard, the U.S will get a new president this year, and you should be a part of the process.
Are you familiar with the candidates’ platforms? Visit their official sites: McCain/Palin and Obama/Biden. While the two major parties get most of the attention, there are third party candidates, too, including Bob Barr (Libertarian), Cynthia McKinney (Green), and Ralph Nader (Independent). Project Vote Smart has a nonpartisan guide to all the candidates.
Don’t forget that you must be registered to vote. Students who are New York state residents attending New York state colleges or universities can register from their campus addresses. Print out a New York state voter registration form. The form must be postmarked by Oct. 10 and received by Oct. 15.
Are you are familiar with the candidates but reeling from campaign rhetoric and trying to figure out where you stand? Some helpful sites include OpenSecrets.org Center for Responsive Politics, a “nonpartisan guide to money’s influence on U.S. elections and public policy”. The U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Press Center has official information about the 2008 elections. You also may enjoy and benefit from quizzes such as those at Glassbooth.org, Votebyissue.org and USA Today. The League of Women Voters will prepare you, not only on the issues, but also about details of voter registration and even what to expect in the voting booth.
Do you already know where you stand and suffer now from election overload? There are numerous humorous sites with a lighter look at the elections. The About.com index of political humor has links that include Jokes & Quotes and Cartoons & Videos. Daryl Cagle maintains a collection of Campaign 2008 Cartoons and Comedy Central hosts Indecision 2008. You can also Rock the Vote with contests, music and online voter registration. Just be sure you follow their deadlines.
Have you been through it all already and now can’t stand anything more related to elections? May I then suggest a good book, courtesy of the UB Libraries BISON Catalog. Just be sure that you’ve registered to vote and don’t forget to get to the polls on Nov. 4.
—Nancy Babb, University Libraries
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