Tuesday night, I went out to a bar for my friend's birthday and, instead of being able to celebrate with her, I was solicited by the Badger Party to vote for ASM elections. I am a firm believer in voting, but I do believe it has a time and a place. I was very disappointed to see a student party offering free drinks to students who voted on a campus where binge drinking is a prevalent issue.
I was very offended by their politics. I think the Badger Party's behavior last night was dirty politics and should have no place at this university. To take advantage of students who have been drinking by offering them prizes and more alcohol if they vote is disturbing. Not only was the party offering drinks and prizes if students voted, but the only candidate information that was provided next to the Internet-connected laptop was the names of the Badger Party candidates.
With all of that said, their behavior'though disappointing'was perfectly legal. They were encouraging people to vote in a private place where they could be onsite to solicit information about their party alone and, because of their actions last night, the ASM polls have been unfairly affected. So I encourage students to vote and empower themselves to elect officers who they believe stand behind their politics. I would be disappointed in my fellow students if we elected people without knowing what they stood for.
