Spring break overshadows Ohio primaries
By: Theresa Scott
Issue date: 2/11/08 Section: Campus
Super Tuesday has come and gone and the GOP nomination is almost guaranteed to be handed to John McCain.
Democratic front-runners Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are still in a dead-heat race for the nomination.
With a campaign this close, this year's Ohio primary may actually make a difference in who wins the Democratic nomination.
There is only one problem for University students: We're on spring break on the day of the elections.
This year's Ohio primary could really be the breaking point for either the Obama or Clinton campaign; both campaigns are turning to Ohio, where 141 delegates are on the line.
Senators Obama and Clinton plan to duke it out in a televised debate from Cleveland on Feb. 26.
"This year's Ohio primaries could really have an impact," said Jeff Peake, associate professor of political science.
"It's an exciting race between the Democrats. The turnout for the Democrats is nearly double what the Republican turnout is."
Republican candidate Mitt Romney, the once favored front-runner, pulled out of the race Thursday after John McCain picked up the majority of the delegates.
However, Mike Huckabee is still in the race and could pick up a few more delegates among conservative Republican voters.
With University students out on spring break during the primary, it is important that students get an absentee ballot ahead of the election so they won't have to worry about making a pit stop at their local polling station on the way down to the beach, Peake said.
"If you are in Florida, chances are you aren't going to be thinking about voting," Peake said.
Many students said spring break may interfere with their plans to vote.
"I don't know if I'll have the time for it because my friends and I are leaving for vacation on Saturday morning," junior Brian Fields said.
College Democrats President Mark Ingles said he hopes the break does not deter students from voting in the primary.
Democratic front-runners Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are still in a dead-heat race for the nomination.
With a campaign this close, this year's Ohio primary may actually make a difference in who wins the Democratic nomination.
There is only one problem for University students: We're on spring break on the day of the elections.
This year's Ohio primary could really be the breaking point for either the Obama or Clinton campaign; both campaigns are turning to Ohio, where 141 delegates are on the line.
Senators Obama and Clinton plan to duke it out in a televised debate from Cleveland on Feb. 26.
"This year's Ohio primaries could really have an impact," said Jeff Peake, associate professor of political science.
"It's an exciting race between the Democrats. The turnout for the Democrats is nearly double what the Republican turnout is."
Republican candidate Mitt Romney, the once favored front-runner, pulled out of the race Thursday after John McCain picked up the majority of the delegates.
However, Mike Huckabee is still in the race and could pick up a few more delegates among conservative Republican voters.
With University students out on spring break during the primary, it is important that students get an absentee ballot ahead of the election so they won't have to worry about making a pit stop at their local polling station on the way down to the beach, Peake said.
"If you are in Florida, chances are you aren't going to be thinking about voting," Peake said.
Many students said spring break may interfere with their plans to vote.
"I don't know if I'll have the time for it because my friends and I are leaving for vacation on Saturday morning," junior Brian Fields said.
College Democrats President Mark Ingles said he hopes the break does not deter students from voting in the primary.
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