University of Virginia Library

general, cannot register to vote
in Charlottesville and
Albemarle unless they show
"intent to domicile." Most
students have no intention of
remaining in this area a
after graduation, and are therefore
forced (1) to secure an
absentee ballot (a rather
cumbersome process whose
procedures have not been
widely publicized) or (2) in the
case of in-state students, to cut
classes so that they can return
home to vote.

Student Council, in its
unanimous motion of October
3, sought to ease both of these
restrictions. Council requested
that The Cavalier Daily print
our list of absentee ballot
regulations in the 50 states for
use of out-of-state students.
And Council requested class
suspension to aid in-state
students, many of whom
(especially Engineers and
Graduates) find it undesirable
and even a hardship to miss a
difficult course or two.

Madison College and other
colleges throughout the
country have seen the wisdom
and fair play in suspending
their classes for Election Day.
It was Student Council's hope
that the University of Virginia
would act similarly.

However, your editorial
wish that Student Council's
request "not be approved" is a
self-fulfilling one, I'm afraid.
Administrators will
undoubtedly point to your
editorial when explaining their
refusal of Council's request.

Your editorial was not in
the best interests of students,
nor did it represent what I feel
is the opinion of an
overwhelming majority of
students at this University.