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Cal Poly students turned out in record numbers to help swing California’s 55 electoral votes and the presidential election towards Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) Tuesday.
There was a “fantastic turnout of young people,” poll worker Barbara Adams said. “It was the most ever at Cal Poly.”
A long line snaked around the University Union as some students waited over an hour to cast their ballots. In all, 838 regular ballots were cast, 607 provisional, and 316 people handed in vote by mail ballots. Though the line was long, the process went smoothly, said Adams.
Students voting on campus had strong opinions on a variety of different issues.
Mathematics freshman Therese Redlinger voted for McCain. “I’d say the main reason is because I’m Catholic and I’m really big on being pro-life.”
Computer engineering sophomore Elush Shirazpour thought differently. “I think his (Obama’s) idealistic views can lift up this country again,” he said.
The mood was dejected at an unofficial get together for members of the Cal Poly College Republicans.
“Well it is obviously a little disappointing,” biology senior Samantha Kapheim said. “We worked really hard on this campaign with McCain. But (Obama) got the most votes so he won fair and square.”
The atmosphere was lighter at a party for the Cal Poly Democrats. Students watched in rapt attention and several shed tears as Obama gave his victory speech.
“I actually have renewed faith in my country now,” attendant and software engineering senior Rebecca Bettencourt said.
Overall, Cal Poly voted more democratic than San Luis Obispo County as a whole. The school voted for Obama 64 percent of the time, compared to 51 percent in the county.
Cal Poly overwhelmingly denounced Proposition 8, the measure that would ban gay marriage, with 71 percent of ballots voting no. The measure passed in San Luis Obispo County though, garnering 51 percent of the yes vote.
Both Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo voted down Proposition 4, the measure that would institute a parental notification law for minors seeking abortion.
Incumbents also ruled the night. Congresswoman Lois Capps defeated challenger Matt Kokkonen for the congressional seat, garnering 61.5 percent of the overall vote.
Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee defeated challenger Robert Cuthbert by 64.6 percent to keep his position, and state Sen. Abel Maldonado retained his seat, easily defeating challenger Jim Fitzgerald with 64 percent of the vote.
Mustang Daily reporters Bridget Veltri, Samantha MacConnell, Omar Sanchez and Scott Silvey contributed to this report.