SMSU students to work county polls

In an effort to promote voter registration, Southwest Missouri State University is sending more than 90 students to work the Greene County polls as deputy registrars on Nov. 2, according to a university news release.

The goal, according to Greene County Clerk Richard Struckhoff, is to have at least one SMSU student working at each of the county's 86 polling places.

"We'll deputize these college students to check identification, witness signatures and send voters to the right polling place," Struckhoff said in the release. "That helps us out so the voters won't have to call our office or come to the office and make those changes."

In addition to providing poll workers, SMSU and various campus organizations continue to offer a wide range of events and opportunities that encourage students and residents in the community to register to vote.

More than 200 students registered to vote during Public Affairs Week, which included a New York Times Rock the Vote Rally outside Plaster Student Union and various other registration drives.

Recent reports reveal that interest in the election among young adults is nearly at its highest level since 18- to 20-year-olds were given the right to vote in 1972.

"It is vitally important that our university community, especially our students, be involved in the issues that affect us," said Earle Doman, SMSU dean of students.

The deadline to register for the November election is Oct. 6.