What's Up with the Elections?
CCNY Students' Opinions
by Coby Kabir

Julie Patel
1st year biology student
Q: Are you planning to vote in the up coming presidential election?
A: I don't think so.
Q: Do you think that voting is important?
A: Yes I do.
Q: So, why aren't you sure about voting this time?
A: I just turned 18 and not yet registered as a voter. I am not exactly sure about the voting process. It's all new to me.
Q: If you were to vote in the next election would you be happy with the choices?
A: Yes, I think so. The candidates have good background and experience to be our president.

Tanvir Hider
3rd year student in computer science
Q: Are you planning to vote in the up coming presidential election?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you have any one in mind that you would vote for?
A: I haven't decided yet.
Q: Are you happy with the two choices you have to vote for?
A: No, I am not very enthusiastic about any of the candidates. None of them represents anything that I like to see in a politician.
Q: Do you see any possibility of changing the two-party system?
A: There is always possibility to change things but it has been going on for so long that it will be difficult to change it. It will require a lot of work from us.

Samuel Maldonado
1st year student of electrical engineering
Q: Are you planning to vote in the up coming presidential election?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you have any one in mind that you would vote for?
A: Definitely not Bush, he is an empty suit.
Q: Are you happy with the two choices you have to vote for?
A: Yeah, I guess. I liked Allan Keyes because he was the one actually thoroughly answered any question asked. But I am not too sad that he is out of the race.
Q: Are you happy with the two-party system?
A: Yeah, why not? There is still room for difference in opinion and policy. And sometimes totally opposite sides are taken by each party that give voice to both sides of an issue. Take the issue of abortion for example, Democrats are pro-choice and Republicans are pro-life: everyone is represented.

Veronica Fernendez-Rogers
Graduating senior with history major
Q: Are you planning to vote in the up coming presidential election?
A: Absolutely.
Q: Do you have any one in mind that you would vote for?
A: George Bush.
Q: What attracts you to him?
A: His foreign policy, especially regarding China. I like his economic vision for the future. I also like his open immigration policy.
Q: Are you happy with the two-party system?
A: No, there isn't enough room for different ideas.
Q: Do you see any possibility of changing the two-party system?
A: Probably it will change. The Democratic and the Republicans are becoming more alike and it is possible that a new party might arise to challenge them. But for that to happen we have to make the political process more accessible to the public. We also have to make it easy for people to run for public office.