Election Education | Video

Jessica Roose | 10/31/2012

Plenty of people have already voted, and there are only six days left until everyone else heads to the polls. Students at the University of Mary had the chance to hear from both political parties this morning about the candidates and the ballot measures. Administrators say it`s important that young adults are informed about the issues, especially since it will be the first time some of them vote.

As a young voter, it can often be confusing when heading to the polls for the first time. A panel of four spent the morning talking to students about where to vote and what to bring.

"The earlier you start getting involved in politics and participating, the more likely you are to stay involved," said UMary Political Science Professor Mark Springer.

Which is why the bulk of the time was spent going over the ballot measures and candidates.

"When you look at the ticket as a whole the best thing I can find to describe it is proven leadership," said NDGOP Executive Director Anthony Reedy.

"The top of our ticket is, we`re very excited about it. It`s an unprecedented year that I think everybody keeps talking about," said ND Dem NPL Communications Director Rania Batrice.

Students had the opportunity to ask questions and of course healthcare was a hot topic.

"So, Rick`s position is obviously to repeal it. To take those good parts of it and work on some sort of bipartisan legislation to push through to make sure that doctors are being adequately reimbursed for their work that they do," Reedy said.

"Heidi has said this a number of times, there are definitely things that need to be tightened up but repealing it is not the answer and she`s been very open and vocal about that," Batrice said.

For Caleb Anderson, who will be voting for the second time, the forum wasn`t a deal breaker. But he enjoyed the discussion.

"It just further validates some of the things that I thought and gave me some insight into the things I didn`t understand."

He says he hopes more young people head to the polls and believes you can`t complain about where things go if you don`t.

The forum lasted about an hour. They also covered both sides of the ballot measures.

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