PIRG works to keep voters informed
Sarah Evans
Ariz. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) provides information to young students on where, when, and how to vote.Seth Allshouse, a student and volunteer for PIRG explained the reason why PIRG is making a home at community colleges like MCC.
“A few of the initiatives here on campus are strengthening the voter base, and raising awareness of issues important to the student body,” Allshouse said.
It is PIRG’s first year on the MCC campus.
“We function as a research and advocacy group here on campus,” Allshouse said. “(We) want to set up a chapter at MCC.”
They are currently building a consensus of what students want them to focus on.
“(PIRG) did hunger and homelessness one year, global warming, and high text book prices,” said Kelly Fair, sign language major and representative for PIRG.
PIRG sent out emails to students reminding them to vote and providing information of how they could find their polling booths.
“(We) do a lot of rallying; getting our name out there. In the beginning (we) were getting people registered to vote, so we’d be outside at tables,” Fair said. “Recently, (we have) been pledging people to vote, and reminding people.”
Tomlin stated that there are also a lot of people at community colleges who want to be active.
“I consider myself a resource to help mobilize students to get experience in campaigning for things that matter to them,” Tomlin said.
Since 2004, in the states PIRG has registered more than 700,000 young people to vote stated Tomlin.
PIRG is at a national level, and there are many PIRG organizations in other states.
