Candidates try to lure campus voters

Few things draw Penn students out of their snug dorm rooms faster than good weather, free food and live entertainment. And yesterday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., these three elements attracted hundreds of Penn students to the annual "Get Out the Vote Party" to kick off student government elections. The event, held on College Green, was organized by the Nominations and Elections Committee. Voting for Undergraduate Assembly and class board positions, as well as for the UA's constitutional revisions, began yesterday and ends April 3 at 5 p.m. Students can vote online using PennInTouch. The NEC hoped that the event would both raise student awareness of the voting process and provide candidates a chance to meet their constituents face-to-face. "It was great to get people out here and know the candidates' faces," said Melissa LaVigne, chairwoman of the NEC Get Out the Vote subcommittee. "It makes it a lot more personal and a lot more fun." Many students drifted in and out of the party throughout the day, and some only stayed for short periods of time, or simply grabbed some food and left. About 35 to 40 candidates attended the event throughout the day, according to LaVigne, a College freshman. However, many students in attendance admitted that they had not met any candidates while at the event. College and Wharton senior Richard Pulik said he did not meet any of the candidates, adding that he didn't know what the nature of the event was. At the same time, Pulik said he enjoyed the College Green gathering. "I think it's been filling," he said. "You feel the whole community spirit." College freshman Janna Fuccillo agreed. "No, I haven't [met any candidates]," she said. "[But] yes, I've been having fun." A whipped cream pie toss began the event early in the morning. The toss featured current Freshman Class President Jason Levy, who is running for president of the sophomore class, as the victim. Throughout the day, NEC Chairman Nick Goad and other NEC members made announcements about the availability of online voting and encouraged students to vote soon. At the party's peak around lunchtime, about 250 people were present. Planet Terker, a Penn student band, turned out to be quite popular with the crowd. According to Kirsten Grubbs, a College freshman and UA member running for re-election, students in attendance during the Planet Terker performance became so rowdy that administrators in College Hall complained about the noise level. Dischord, Off the Beat, Strictly Funk, Counterparts and Arts House Dance also performed throughout the day. "The important part is to actually get people out to vote... get people in the spirit of voting," Grubbs said.