Thousands of Syracuse University students found time Tuesday to cast their votes in one of the most important and closely followed elections in American history.

A steady stream of students poured through the polls at the Schine Student Center, Toomey Abbott Towers, Westcott Community Center and St. Andrew’s Church from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m., clicking through the mechanical ballot and finalizing their choices with the pull of a lever.

Unlike years past, poll watchers say that out of more than 4,200 students who registered to vote in Onondaga County, more than 2,400 of them showed up to the polls.

‘I think decisions are made by people who show up at the polls,’ said Mike Sennett, a poll watcher who worked all day at Schine. ‘If students actually show up they could make a difference instead of just making a noise.’

Expectations for this year’s election were largely met by students eager to vote. At Schine, lines wound out the door most of the day, Sennett said, stretching out the office door near the box office out into the atrium. Likewise, St. Andrew’s Church was packed with activity throughout the day, said Liz Johnson, the poll’s election inspector.

‘I was empowered,’ said Yusuf Abdul-Qadir, a freshman political science and education major, who lives in Shaw Hall and voted at Schine. ‘I’m impressed about all the students who came out.’

Many students lingered about the various voting locations all day long, sharing in the air of excitement and confusion. Before voting, each person was sent into different lines according to districts and last names. At all locations, workers said students were very patient, even when the lines were longer.

‘I thought the polls would be more confusing, but everyone there was very nice and helpful,’ said Lindsey Dougherty, a senior photography major.

Organizations such as the College Democrats and New York Public Interest Research Group spent the day helping confused voters find their polls, providing shuttles to and from the locations and handing out fliers.

‘A few kids organized trips to go to swing states. I know the labor union took a trip today,’ said Sam Eschenbrenner, a sophomore member of the College Democrats.

Many students were very willing to voice their opinion all over campus, standing through the rain on the Quad with signs. Others declared their opinions through shirts, pins and confident support for their candidates.

‘I am voting for John Kerry because I feel like Bush didn’t really do anything while he was in office,’ said Rangel Toussaint, a freshman undecided major. ‘All that’s happened is that the poor have gotten poorer and the rich have gotten richer.’

Then, at 9 p.m., the polls closed and countless televisions and radios blinked on to watch the returns trickle in.

Published on November 2, 2004 at 12:00 pm