I attended the public hearing on Mayor Martin Ch†vez's proposal to ban alcohol sales at all-ages shows on Aug. 29. UNM student Adam Hevey spoke at the hearing, with a message to Ch†vez: "I am under 21, but I am a voter, and he would be wise not to forget that."
Unfortunately, statistics show that only a shamefully small minority of registered voters ages 18 to 24 actually cast a vote in civic elections. It's no wonder the mayoral candidates don't target UNM students with their campaigns and platforms.
The mayoral debate at the beginning of September showed how important students are to these candidates. Eric Griego was the only candidate to represent himself - and he was 45 minutes late. Ch†vez showed up at the end of the debate.
Maybe it's time students act like Hevey and show candidates why they shouldn't forget about this population.
Voting in this election will not only determine the next mayor of Albuquerque but will also determine if all-ages shows will continue, if the minimum wage goes up from $5.15 per hour to $7.50 per hour, and how much candidates are allowed to spend in city election campaigns like this one.
All of these issues affect students, but they will be decided without student input if they don't vote in tomorrow's election.
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Check out the back page of today's Daily Lobo for a student voter guide. We polled students at the beginning of the semester as to which issues in this election they care about. Three of four candidates answered questions on these issues. There is also information on other issues that will be included on the ballot in tomorrow's election.
If you don't know where to vote, go to the city of Albuquerque's Web site at www.cabq.gov or call 311.
Remember, only those who vote get their voices heard.
Rivkela Brodsky
Editor in chief
