Disenfranchising Dartmouth students who don't live in New Hampshire is the first step down a slippery slope. The right to vote should be unconditional. Once the government begins to abridge that right, we are stripped of our most basic democratic freedom. Besides, the notion that Dartmouth students don't have a vested interest in local politics is absurd; four years of our lives revolve around Hanover and the Upper Valley.
--Ben Gonin '12
As students, we are a transient group whose local interests are different from those of more permanent residents. Yet the high concentration of students distorts the political body and skews the importance of various issues. New Hampshire has traditionally been a key battleground state in the national election, putting a great deal of power in the hands of college students. Despite the fact that these circumstances encourage civic participation among young people, it seems unjust that the voices of a state's temporary residents dilute those of permanent citizens.
--Blair Sullivan '10
Dartmouth students should not be prevented from voting in New Hampshire. However, students should treat their right to vote in New Hampshire with as much respect as they would the right to vote in their home state, which includes staying informed about local issues and being considerate of the Upper Valley communities.
--Tina Praprotnik '09
Dartmouth students live, work and play in Hanover, and are subject to that jurisdiction's laws and ordinances just like any other residents. As such, we should have the right to vote just like any other residents. Dartmouth students often have a greater stake in how local governments are run in Hanover than they do in their hometowns; area residents should thank Dartmouth students for making their home region virtually recession-proof, not vilify them for wanting to have a stake in their own government.
--Christian Kiely '09
Students should vote in their primary place of residence. The question is: Can Dartmouth students legitimately view the Upper Valley as their primary residence? I think some can. For some Dartmouth students, their home state will always be their primary residence. Their family is there, they pay taxes there and they are more familiar with the local issues there. Others, though, may feel more knowledgeable about and more invested in the Hanover area than in their home state. Allowing a student to determine his own primary residence and vote accordingly seems to be the best option.
--Peter Blair '12
It is appropriate that Friday's Verbum Ultimum ran alongside a column about the negative impact that Hanover's underage drinking policies may have on Dartmouth students. The reality is that many New Hampshire laws do affect Dartmouth students, and in the specific case of alcohol policies, the stakes may be life or death. Barring students from voting when issues that affect them are being decided is an un-American denial of all U.S. citizens' right to have a voice in their government.
--Emily Johnson '12
Voting ultimately rests as the personal responsibility of each individual, college student or not. Far too many voters never investigate local issues and candidates, even if they are "permanent residents." Even if Dartmouth students could not vote in Hanover, Vanessa Sievers '10 still might have been elected county treasurer, simply because she ran down ballot of Barack Obama.
--Brian Solomon '11
Whether or not out-of-state Dartmouth students have a significant enough stake in Hanover elections to justify voting, student involvement in local elections is a must to foster student's sense of civic responsibility.
--Jacob Batchelor '12
