Local leaders are hoping that students will finally figure out just how powerful they are tonight at a municipal elections forum sponsored by several prominent campus groups.
Last time a municipal election rolled around, fewer than 400 students turned out to vote. That's fewer than 400 of roughly 16,000 undergraduates, or less than one-fortieth of the student body, that had a voice in who would regulate Franklin Street, vet the University's expansion and decide whether to endorse beer keg registration.
"I hope that they do become more involved in larger numbers," said Robin Cutson, a candidate for Chapel Hill Town Council.
"It does affect your life, the four to eight years you're here, it affects the life of all that come behind, it's your duty to make sure that they have a great experience at UNC."
John Herrera, an incumbent Carrboro alderman, put it more bluntly.
"I think the students always take a beating in Carrboro and Chapel Hill," he said.
Of course, voter turnouts across the country have been relatively low in recent years, and visions of 16,000 undergraduates rising up in an electoral revolution are probably mildly misguided.
Still, students voting in a block could present a formidable campus presence.
"I see the student turnout being incredibly important as far as putting me over the threshold for getting a seat on the council," said Jason Baker, a sophomore political science major and council candidate.
