Issue date: 11/9/06 Section: Campus News

Media Credit: Sara Norgon Senior Christina Hansen shows sophomore Duane Fuhrman where he can vote Tuesday on the Campus Mall. The University Activities Commission set up booths on campus to show voters where to go and it also arranged shuttles for students that ran to and from polling sites throughout the day.

Media Credit: Sara Norgon

As power shifts in the state Legislature and U.S. Congress, student activists hope an apparent increase in UW-Eau Claire student turnout is the beginning of a shift in political priorities as well.

Turnout in all wards that included a sizeable student population rose since the 2002 midterm elections, with some increases more dramatic than others, according to City of Eau Claire records.

"This is a big thing," said senior Jon Radcliffe, a member of Student Senate who helped register and mobilize voters with the student lobbying group United Council. "We're showing that students deserve attention."

Turnout at Davies Center, which includes Wards 20 and 24, jumped by 63 and 69 percent, respectively.

Ward 5, which includes much of the Water Street area, saw an increase of 66 percent, while other nearby wards rose between 20 and 40 percent.

Statewide, preliminary numbers from UC indicate average increases in voter turnout in areas with large student populations ranging from 46 to 66 percent in communities with major UW System schools.

In addition to mobilization efforts on campus, students said the war, cuts in educational funding and various referendums on the ballot may have spurred student turnout.

Though UC's push was non-partisan, student activists and political scientists said student turnout contributed to narrow Democratic victories on Election Day.

Three Democrats in the Chippewa Valley unseated Republican incumbents. Former news anchor Pat Kreitlow beat longtime incumbent Sen. Dave Zien, R-Chippewa Falls in a battle for the 23rd Senate District. Kathleen Vinehout, an area farmer and former college professor, overtook Sen. Ron Brown, a Chippewa Falls Republican, representing the 31st Senate District.

In the 93rd Assembly District race, small business owner Jeff Smith defeated Rep. Rob Kreibich, R-Eau Claire.

Both the 31st Senate Disctrict and 93rd Assembly District cover areas with large student populations.

"Probably student votes made a difference in the (race between Smith and Kreibich)," said Geoff Peterson, a political science professor who participated in a forum discussion of the election on Wednesday. "It's a good start."

The three Democratic victories in the Chippewa Valley contributed to the Democrats taking control of the state Senate and diminished the Republican majority in the state Assembly.

Radcliffe and other students pointed to pledges by Democratic winners from the Chippewa Valley to fight for tuition limits with guarantees of additional state funding as proof of student impact.

Peterson and fellow political science professor Rodd Freitag agreed that turnout among students or young voters in general would have to see continued increases, as well as a distinct focus, to have any lasting impact on the state Legislature or on the national scene.

"It depends on if the new voters are marching in a direction," Freitag said.
Ousted Republican incumbents, as well as Vinehout, could not be reached for comment. Kreitlow said increased student turnout was critical to both Smith's and Vinehout's victories, since their districts encompass parts of Eau Claire with large student populations.

Smith, who spoke to students on several occasions about boosting higher education funding and health care reform, agreed with Peterson that students contributed to his win.

"I hope this is loud and clear to students," he said, pointing out that his victory was uncertain until student wards reported their totals. "They do make a difference, and they should make a difference."

Comparison between 2002, 2006 Mid-term elections
	2002	2006	Difference	Percentage change
Ward 2:	476	651	175	37 percent
Ward 3:	1,067	1,317	250	23 percent
Ward 5:	368	612	244	66 percent
Ward 6:	332	449	117	35 percent
Ward 20:	980	1,601	621	63 percent
Ward 24:	106	179	73	69 percent

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