UCO Encourages Voter Registration In Celebration of Constitution Week

Sept. 14, 2012

Media Contact:  Courtney Bass, University Relations Staff Writer, University of Central Oklahoma, 405-974-2121, cbass4@uco.edu

UCO ENCOURAGES VOTER REGISTRATION IN CELEBRATION OF CONSTITUTION WEEK

 The University of Central Oklahoma will celebrate Constitution Week with a weeklong voter registration drive Sept. 17-21, along with a naturalization ceremony at noon on Friday, Sept. 28.

Students faculty or staff interested in registering for the first time, updating party affiliation, or updating a mailing address may visit the UCO American Democracy Project office in Thatcher Hall, Room 121C from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or stop by one of the voter registration tables from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Broncho Lake, the Nigh University Center Food Court, the Chambers Library and the Liberal Arts Building or from 5-8 p.m. in the Wellness Center throughout the week.  

“During Constitution Week we take time to focus on what it means to be an active, engaged part of our community.  Voting is an easy way to engage; yet many Americans choose not to do it.  We want our students to make voting a part of their life, to establish the habit now, “ Mary Carver, Ph.D., Core Curriculum coordinator for Central’s mass communication department and one of the registration drive organizers.

The voter registration drive is a part of a statewide contest sponsored by the Oklahoma Campus Compact involving public and private colleges and universities. Central has won the contest the past two years by registering the highest percentage of the campus community in its enrollment category among the participating institutions.

To register to vote, individuals must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen and a resident of Oklahoma. Registrants are asked to bring one of the following types of identification: Oklahoma driver’s license, Oklahoma identification card, U.S. passport or U.S. military identification card.                    

The following week, dozens will take the oath of American citizenship during the naturalization ceremony at noon Sept. 28 in Constitution Hall. The ceremony is open to the public, but space is limited. A live stream of the ceremony will be accessible on the UCO home page at www.uco.edu.  

For more information or to participate in Constitution Week, contact the American Democracy Project at adp@uco.edu or 405-974-3504.

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