The student vote a factor in casino issue?
The City Beat had a story today about how members of the Grand Forks Casino Petition Committee, don't want a referendum on the proposed tribal casino because they fear students would vote for it.
"UND students can vote and although UND contributes greatly to our community, most students don't have a long term interest here and wouldn't have to suffer the consequences imposed by this casino," went the press release read by group leader Jerry Hjelden.
This statement surprised the heck out of me. Usually, people who have this opinion whisper it. But casino opponents took a pretty vocal stance.
Hjelden told me he wasn't trying to "rile" students up. It's just not fair for people who most likely won't stay here in the long-term to vote on something that will have a major impact on long-term residents.
Needless to say, student leaders are none too pleased to hear this.
Sound off: Hjelden said sentiments like his are widespread and I've heard it before as well. I'm not from around here so maybe it's just me. But isn't it weird that UND has been around for nearly 125 years and some residents still see it as sort of an outside entity? What do you guys think about this?
"UND students can vote and although UND contributes greatly to our community, most students don't have a long term interest here and wouldn't have to suffer the consequences imposed by this casino," went the press release read by group leader Jerry Hjelden.
This statement surprised the heck out of me. Usually, people who have this opinion whisper it. But casino opponents took a pretty vocal stance.
Hjelden told me he wasn't trying to "rile" students up. It's just not fair for people who most likely won't stay here in the long-term to vote on something that will have a major impact on long-term residents.
Needless to say, student leaders are none too pleased to hear this.
Sound off: Hjelden said sentiments like his are widespread and I've heard it before as well. I'm not from around here so maybe it's just me. But isn't it weird that UND has been around for nearly 125 years and some residents still see it as sort of an outside entity? What do you guys think about this?
posted by Tu-Uyen at 1:43 PM
11 Comments:
The sentiment that dare not speak its name? While one can argue the merits of saying so publicly, and how it may affect student turnout for a casino vote, the idea has some merits.
Let's begin by saying that laws will probably never be changed to codify such sentiments. And justifiably so. There would be too many other unintended consequences for the idea to have any legs. Having said that, however... Students do display several characteristics that are troublesome when seeking qualified voters:
They are a transient population, coming from all over to this place for their education, and just as likely to leave when they have finished. Even accounting for the attrition of dropouts, the area couldn't absorb the number of graduates produced at UND. And like a spinster aunt coming once a year to tell you how to raise your kids, how can they know the true "situation on the ground", or be qualified to give you counsel on such matters? Which leads to characteristic two:
They are mostly young, lacking in the kind of life experiences that temper youthful passions with caution and a desire to take the long view. A couple casinos and more and bigger Springfests a year sounds great until you have to raise children of your own- then you have to try and convince them that a life of bacchanalian hedonism has no future. This is particularly hard to understand until you've been through it full cycle.
As far as treating UND collectively as an "outside" entity, I don't think this has a lot of merit. Too many people make a good primary or secondary living there. As far as individually, yes, we don't go out of our way to embrace students as our own. And why should we? The kind of feeling of "community" I think you mean is earned, not freely given. We're North Dakota nice, yes, but you can't expect to show up on our doorstep in the fall and be received like a neighbor. Not since the last guy in your place peed in the flower bed and stood puking on the lawn. But put some roots down, get to know a few people, show your worth as an individual, and yes, you're welcome to stay. We can forget the peeing incident.
Well argued. What about what Gershman said? If we're talking transient population, shouldn't we count Air Force people and some UND faculty? That raises the question of how long you have to live here before you're really qualified to vote.
In spite of the above, I am in agreement with Mr. Gershman. You cannot keep people from voting. It's against what we as Americans stand for. We should only wish for educated voters, and should hope that people raise their children to respect what a gift voting is.
The case of Air Force members and their families only strengthens this. Overly burdensome residency laws that might be enacted to keep students out would also disenfranchise those brave defenders of our country. In light of the sacrifices they make willingly for our country, one would almost wish they could be granted two votes!
In the matter of the casino itself, I also do not want to see one built here, for my own reasons. I only wish that others opposing it were a little more politically astute. Oh well.
BTW, where is everybody? We have to get the word out about our local blogs- this is a good one. Thanks for having it Tu-Uyen.
The 30-day residency requirement is based upon a decision in the Supreme Court. There were many Southern cities and states that had overly restrictive residency laws that were challenged all the way up to the Supreme Court, which decided that 30 days ought be enough to establish residency in a new area.
I feel a bit awkward posting on blogs considering that I am running for office, but I had to chime in on this, as most people don't seem to understand the residency laws.
Hey Peder,
Nothing awkward about posting on blogs. It's just like campaigning. Trying to win the blog vote?? Hey, one day this (blogs in general, not this one alone) could be a significant audience. Who would have thought a couple of decades ago that national politicians would go on late night shows or the Comedy Channel?
As far as residency goes, I think the argument here is not about legalities but maybe about ethics.
Is it right to maneuver to keep the student vote out and, conversely, is it right to vote on something and then skip town and let other people pay the price?
The Supreme Court decision was based upon ethics as well, for, if memory serves, blacks and "carpet baggers" were prevented from voting, as they had not established residency.
But I will agree that the students, if they decide to vote, should look toward the future as opposed to what the city government can do for them today.
Saw this post and wanted to add this thought...While it is true that most of the current student population will leave GF after graduation they do act as a proxy for future generations of students and their input is valuable in that sense. As a UND alum I enjoy coming back to GF and seeing how the campus and community is changing and growing. (By the way, the new development around REA is a nice addition.) That is not to say one way or the other that a casino is right for GF but the students (current and future) are an important part of the community and need to be included in these decisions.
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