Rice student turnout surges for both Democratic and Republican primaries
All eight Rice University student voters of 2014’s Democratic primary might be glad to know that the turnout this last weekend had increased by 2700 percent to 224 voters. Student turn out at the Republican primaries also increased by 450 percent from six voters to 33.
Rice Young Democrats president ex officio Maurice Frediere said RYD and Civic Duty Rice sent out reminders about early voting locations, coordinated with the Todd Litton campaign to drive students to polling locations, and collaborated with local campaigns to connect students to candidates.
Frediere said the candidates made efforts to reschedule other commitments to come to campus events for students.
“Obviously a big part is the groundswell of progressive activism across the country that's happened after the election of President Trump,” Frediere said. “That being said, the Rice Dems and Civic Duty took part in an unprecedented effort to turn out students and all the students who were a part of the turnout effort did a great job.”
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