Show Fair showcases political Wr parties Kr Kristy Sty Kuhn T writer ter With the current presidential election campaign in full swing ying its it's easy to think there are only two political parties in Utah There are other options and Student Life and Leadership Diversity Board wants to make students aware Last Wednesday the Diversity Board hosted a political fair in inthe the Student Events Center The fair which was sparsely attended was meant to allow students to see and hear from froma a variety of political parties especially from those which are not considered mainstream With the current political climate we wanted to give students a chance to get to know other political parties Benjamin Lopez Diversity Chair for Student Life and Leadership said We wanted to open students' students minds to other views Representatives from eight different political parties including Democrats and Republicans were on hand to distribute literature and answer questions from students Of those eight political parties six have representatives on the ballot ballotin in the upcoming presidential election With the presidential election only weeks away Lopez decided a political fair would fit with Party Continued on Party with politics Continued from Al Althe Althe the die Boards Board's current current theme of Embracing Diversity and give stud students students' the opportunity to become more diverse in a political sense We Ve want students to see more diversity Lopez said Not just in race but butin butin butin in politics and religion as well student Lysandra Moore who was at the fair with a group of friends said she learned about the fair from her mother who works at the College Moore said she wishes more young people would become informed and active in politics I would advise other students to learn more about all parties Moore said You have a choice While many students complain that there is no choice in Utah and their vote doesn't count because the state is largely Republican those in attendance at the fair learned otherwise The Young Democrats of Utah were handing out leaflets showing students how critical each and every vote can be especially in local elections According to their leaflet in 2006 at least four local elections were decided by 92 votes or less with one being decided by a mere 18 votes When it com comes s down to the presidential elections dont don't just stand on the sidelines Moore said If we stand on the sidelines we have no right to complain about who is elected Those students who missed the fair but still want to obtain information about the political parties can can- visit the Clubs and Organizations office in Room of the Student Ce Center ter |