By Baylee Pulliam
With the coming of Election Day 2010, Jerry Abramson will end his term as Louisville’s longtime mayor. On Nov. 2, the people of Louisville will have to choose a new mayor. Democrat Greg Fischer and Republican Hal Heiner are expected to have a close race for the open position.
In the past few years, the role of young voters has gained national attention. According to the Kentucky Board of Elections, 436,030 Kentuckians from ages 17 to 34 voted in the 2008 general election, making up roughly 23 percent of total voters in the state. However, a survey released by Harvard University’s Institute of Politics predicts that, nationwide, only 27 percent of people in the age range of 18 to 29 will vote this November.
Both Heiner and Fischer have taken notice of the importance of the youth demographic and have sought to improve this number. Since the candidates’ debate in Bigelow Hall on the University of Louisville campus on Oct. 14, both candidates have taken an interest in including U of L in their campaigns.
With only days to go before a new mayor is chosen, the two took a few minutes to answer some questions especially pertinent to U of L students.
Q: Why should college students vote?
HEINER: College students today are not just 18-22 years old. Today, many people return to school later in life. It’s so important for college students to vote because they have easy access to information and knowledge. It is during college that many people decide their positions on issues. College students should apply what they have been learning, by voting and taking an interest in their community.
FISCHER: College students should vote because this election is about creating the types and kinds of jobs and economic development climate that will exist after they graduate. I want to make Louisville the easiest city in the country in which to get started in business or find a quality, high-paying job.
Q: What effect, if any, will you being elected have on the University of Louisville community?
HEINER: Great cities have great research universities. As mayor, I will work to provide more resources to grow the University of Louisville as the Renewable Energy Research Center for the state of Kentucky. Improving education has always been a major part of my platform. We have to improve the graduation rate of high school students in Louisville and start earlier in grade school with helping them embrace the hope of one day attending college.
FISCHER: As a nationally-recognized entrepreneur and past lecturer at the U of L College of Business (as well as a member of the U of L Board of Overseers), I am committed to making U of L one of the nation’s top metropolitan research universities, particularly in the area of entrepreneurship. I also recognize that the university is the heart of this community and will support the necessary investments to improve the quality of campus life and surrounding neighborhoods.
Q: Cats or Cards?
HEINER: I am a proud U of L graduate and fan.
FISCHER: C-A-R-D-S, C-A-R-D-S, Go Cards go!
