A friend sent this to me and, since I couldn’t really add anything, I am reproducing it here for your information:
On Thursday, September 11, The Lynchburg News & Advance reported that Liberty University Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. … has publicly stated his personal support for McCain, but reiterated Wednesday after convocation that it is a personal decision and not one that represents the university… The school also will cancel classes on Election Day, provide buses to the polls and host an election results party from the Vines Center.
We ask that you call Pat Bower at Lynchburg Registrar’s Office (434) 847-1609 and and Nancy Rodriques at the Virginia State Board of Elections (804) 864-8904 and ask that they ensure that only a student who is a local resident under Virginia Law be permitted to vote locally.
If Liberty University encourages non-resident students to register as residents of the City of Lynchburg, they are encouraging them to engage in practices that may be illegal.
Here’s the newspaper’s article:
…Falwell also announced an unprecedented push at the school to distribute thousands of voter registration forms to students, both in the dorms and in the classrooms.
~~
He said students have the potential to influence a tight presidential race in which Virginia is considered a key state.
“We only encourage you to educate yourself on the issues, and vote your conscience,” Falwell told students.
~~
He announced that the school will distribute thousands of voter registration forms in classes and dorms starting later this week.
Well, Mr. Falwell, it seems that there are residence laws to take into account here. Are the students changing their home residence only to vote? Or are they even aware of the ramifications of changing their residency? (Updated to remove ‘tuition and other matters.’ – mb)
Mr. Falwell may be well-meaning in all of this, but, in my experience, the attitudes and opinions of the Falwells of this world don’t hold much water with me, since they invariably turn out to be untrue.
It only takes one complaint to the SBE and there would be an investigation of this practice. As a citizen, I am not interested in having this election determined by illegal acts, as much as is possible.
{UPDATE: Stay tuned for an updated new diary about voter registration. I will add the link here when it is published. 2PM 092508}
Why would there be any ramifications on tuition? Isn’t Liberty University a private institution?
Actually, if this post had been by a Conservative, complaining about similar efforts at Hampton University, you’d be screaming “Racism!” and “Voter suppression!”
Sounds like “voter suppression” is OK, as long as the right votes are suppressed.
Algore, call your office.
James,
At this point, I am just glad you didn’t criticize my grammar or punctuation.
Now go bust up a union somewhere, you big lug!
The presidential voter regristration drive of LU students is just a smoke screen to gather registered voters to control local election results. The Falwells are intent on completing their take over of our government from the ground up (no pun intended Jerry Sr.).
Please check your facts before you post this. Students at Liberty are not required to change their permanent address, but rather claim Lynchburg as a temporary residence ( which it is, since they will be there for four years.) This is all made possible by a law passed in Virginia which allows any college student in Virginia to vote in their college town. There is absolutely nothing illegal going on here.
Elizabeth, could you help us all out and post that statute, since you made a claim?
Thanks.
This is rediculous the ACLU is organization that actually endorsed the new registration campaign. The Higher Education Act of 1998 requires all colleges and universities to make a good faith effort to provide voter registration forms to all students. And as Elizabeth said “Students at Liberty are not required to change their permanent address, but rather claim Lynchburg as a temporary residence ( which it is, since they will be there for four years.) This is all made possible by a law passed in Virginia which allows any college student in Virginia to vote in their college town.” This is only a temporary adress change. How can you ( the writer of this blog) claim that this is illegal? Student are here for four years. They are paying taxes here for every thing they buy here. Students are adding to the economy of Lynchburg. By the way it has been the campaign of Barak Obama that has been pressuring for college voters to be able to vote from there university. For the record, this voter registration is NOT illegal. Contact your local officials first and ask them before posting a blog that mentions “practices that may be illegal”.
And yes there are some grammatical mistakes (there instead of their). If I want anyone to critique my grammar I will ask in advance.
If you notice, Tim, I haven’t criticized anyone, or their grammar, or claimed that this was true. The title itself is a question.
I appreciate your comments, but I have to wonder, are you both residents of Lynchburg? And I would still like a citation proving the claim under VA law.
I love lamp…
Mr. Mark Brooks
The Obama campaign, along with the ACLU, have encouraged and endorsed college students to register to vote at their college with their dorm address. Virginia state law has approved for college students, local or out of state, to register at their college. When the students register they need only change their legal mailing address. They need not change car registrations or anything else. Also, this will not have any effect on their parent’s taxes.
Most students at a university spend the majority of their year living in their university’s community. They pump their finances into the community, which benefits the entire city as a whole. When people spend money, they pay taxes. A chief principal of this great nation is no taxation without representation. College students spend the majority of their finances in the community of their college/university; they pay the majority of their taxes in their college’s/university’s community. Since they pay the majority of their taxes in these cities, students should have a voice in the local government. In order for students to have a voice, they need to be registered to vote in that region. This would also allow students to vote in the national elections from the same voting region.
In most circumstances, college students will spend at least four years at a university. Many people move all over the nation from job to job. They may spend more or less time than four years in any one city or state. These people moving about the nation for their career are able to transfer their voting registration to the community in which they are currently residing. This is no different than a college student.
Liberty University is not conducting any illegal activities, nor have they endorsed either presidential candidate. They have however, promoted the right to have a say in this nations future. The city of Lynchburg, in which Liberty is located, has approved for its students to register. Chancellor Falwell and his many legal advisors have carefully reviewed all the facts and laws that pertain to voter registration. If the university’s actions were illegal, wouldn’t they have been stopped already?
Mark, you may want to check this link out, as well, do some research and you may find your blog to be uneducated.
http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Voter_Information/Registering_to_Vote/College_Student.html
Please research topics before you write on them. Do not simply repeat what you have heard or may believe; find hard facts, not emotions.
While I have more to say, I have to go for the moment. I look forward to hearing an educated response. Thank you for your time.
Taylor
Wow, this sounds like damage control to me. Who are you? Someone who attends Liberty, is employed by Liberty, or both? Inquiring minds want to know!
I also understand that Liberty University would not allow parking in a shopping center lot owned by them when Obama visited a high school in Lynchburg a few months ago. Since when did parking become partisan activity? But I’m not really surprised given the plans that Falwell seems to have made for election day. What I’d also like to know is how many public universities whose presidents have endorsed a presidential candidate will be canceling classes in their schools, providing buses to polling locations, and sponsoring election parties. Taylor, can you help me out with that?
No shortage of misinformation here (and I’m looking directly at you, Tim and Elizabeth). To review, in order to register to vote, you must establish residency. Residency has a very specific meaning, as explained at the link Taylor provides. To wit:
See that bit about intent to remain there for an unlimited time? That quashes this whole “temporary” thing Elizabeth is claiming, and creates some problems for Taylor, if he’s being honest. What sort of problems? The problems the kids over at Virginia Tech are having.
Dear Lisa,
So what if Taylor may be a Liberty Student? He obviously posted a more educated response than what you have. Who are you? You must be an Obama supporter ticked off because the majority of students at Liberty won’t vote for him. By the way, Liberty invited Senator Obama to campaign at the campus and received no response. However, a branch of McCain’s campaign responded and showed up when invited.
Lisa,
I think it is unfortunate that you have to stray from the voter registration topic to that of a shopping center just because you had no good argument. And before you ask, yes, I am a Liberty student, and if you would like to make any more snide remarks because of that then please go ahead. Since you are so concerned about the facts, then here they are. Obama supporters put on the tickets that those attending the rally would be able to park in the shopping center without asking permission of those that owned it. Liberty did not allow this because if they let them do this for free and thus show support for one political party over another. Liberty University cannot do this due to the fact that they are non-profit organization and could lose their license by siding one way or another politically. For example, this is the same reason why churches are not supposed to support a certain political party. Liberty is private, that is why we have the freedom to cancel classes. How many other universities are encouraging their students to participate in one of the most important civic duties? Thanks for your time.
I sincerely doubt Liberty, a private Christian university with a pro-McCain leader invited Obama to visit on his college tour. That said, I don’t think this is illegal or “unfair”. But I do think it is unfortunate that the head of the University is publicly sharing his slant with the student body and giving out a call to make history with the chance to “elect a President.” The only way Liberty will be a force to make this history is if the vast majority vote for the same candidate – so in other words – get on board! As a school-wide movement with a thinly veiled mandate, I just hope the opinions of Christian students and faculty who are not Republicans are respected.
Election season is always challenging for us Democrats who share the Christian faith- at our churches, and our Christian schools and universities, our bible studies and more. I know what this is like and that it is tough as a student to go against so many people we love and admire and look up to, like our professors and pastors and friends. Christians who support Obama, support each other, too!
Abbey – Great that Liberty is encouraging civic duty and voting and giving students time to do this, and even transportation. But as a non-profit that is not supposed to do anything to endorse a particular candidate – Did Mr. Falwell ever mention his own political opinions or support for McCain during his address? (Not Allowing parking in a shopping center lot because they owned the asphalt is a little odd, how often does the University monitor who parks there or why?)
I’m sorry you don’t believe that the university did not invite the Obama campaign. Liberty has a policy of inviting both all parties. Again, this falls under the non-profit issue. If they did not show fairness and invite all, then that is probable cause for loss of non-profit status. It is not their fault that the Obama campaign decided not to come. The reason things like the parking lot are monitored are because Liberty was given that shopping center as a way to help build up the endowment. People have places of business in that shopping center that pay rent and should be respected. How is it fair to those that have businesses there to let just anyone put on a ticket for an event that the spaces in front of their places of business would be blocked so that the patrons who want to visit their store and buy their product cannot because there is no where to park? I’m also sorry you think it is “unfortunate” that the chancellor share his own political view. I think you would be surprised with some research that he is not the only one. I’m sure there are plenty of presidents of universities, both public and private, that share their political views aloud. Just because you have a certain job or title does not mean that you do not have the freedom to say who you support. I do admire your passion and thank you for your questions that have challenged me to look into my university.
Dave and Abbey:
An educated response . . . hmmmm . . . well, I wasn’t trying to show how smart I was and using that knowledge to put others down, unlike some responding to this blog. I was simply saying that Taylor’s response seemed like damage control and wanted to know how he was connected. I’ve always found that those who respond the most vehemently are connected in some way with the item being criticized.
You are both pretty adamant about putting me down as being less educated than others here or a ticked-off Obama supporter without knowing anything about me. As a doctoral student with 23 years of teaching experience already behind her, my experience has also been to let the young ones go ahead and vent when they feel attacked for doing something or being connected with something (like Liberty). My own 16 year old son does the same thing, so I do understand what is happening here.
To be truthful, I’m not upset that Liberty students are overwhelmingly voting for McCain, as my own father will probably vote for him as well. I think it’s great that students are voting. However, I much prefer the system where students are behind the registration process and not the administration. As far as I know many universities (including my own) are supportive of their students voting and registering to vote. But to cancel classes? No, probably not, as they feel students are adults who have to learn to set their own priorities and not have someone tell them what to do and reward them for doing so.
What I’m actually against is any school that uses partisanship to divide this country more than it already is. Which, Abbey, is exactly why I tied the parking lot issue to this blog post. I was not straying from my topic of partisanship at Liberty, as you mistakenly pointed out. I knew exactly what I was doing, while you simply assumed that I didn’t. I’m glad that Liberty invited both candidates to speak. However, I do find it funny that Liberty invited Obama, but only asked “a branch of McCain’s campaign” who responded. Since Obama was already coming to the area as part of his 50-state strategy, I’m not surprised that he would want a more public venue. By the way, where did the people park who came to hear McCain? On campus? In the already mentioned parking lot? If so, doesn’t that show a preference for one party over another by refusing to let Obama supporters park on University property?
According to a recent newcast, approximately 33 pastors across the nation are publicly supporting political candidates in the pulpit or on church-owned property in opposition to federal government regulations. If the government followed up on this supposedly illegal action, some of these pastors’ related affiliates (churches, schools, etc.) could lose their non-profit status (not a “license,” Abbey) as well as their tax exempt status with the IRS and the state. This type of problem was also noted during the marriage amendment issue in Virginia two years ago and several churches in my area could have been found guilty of pushing political issues in their congregations. Pastors’ involvement in political issues and elections could have definite repercussions in the future. It’s something for all to keep in mind.
It’s always good to get everything out in the open. Trading viewpoints is a good thing in our democratic society. However, I do appreciate honesty in those viewpoints rather than put-downs based on lack of information about the person expressing the opinion.
Have a great week!
I am so sorry you thought I was putting you down. That was never my intention. You made great points. I also corrected the “license” statement with “status” in my second response. I am sorry that I misspoke. The people who parked to hear the McCain party parked at Liberty University where they were invited. The Obama supporters were told, not by the university, to park at a shopping center miles away but owned by the university to an event not associated with or sponsored by the university. They were not authorized to park there. It was not the same lot at the university where the McCain campaign parked. (See my second response for information about the shopping center). In response to inviting candidates, all parties and anyone associated to their campaign were invited. The branch of McCain’s campaign were the only ones to respond. No one affiliated with Obama’s campaign responded. I hope this was helpful.
ooooh! Look at Lisa with her doctorate degree and twenty-three years of experience! Please enlighten us with your wisdom oh mighty one! Show us your ways so that we may become like you! I long to hold a TITLE like yourself! If you wanted people to know you’re a doctor, you should have said so from the start! But we must be humble, am i right?
love, peace, chicken grease…
Mark Brooks,
Do you even exist in this blog anymore?
peace out homeboy!
The McCain Party parked in front of the Vines center on campus. This event was scheduled ahead of time WITH Liberty University. The university found out through a newscast that a parking lot owned by them would be used for parking. This parking lot is used by students. If extra people would have parked in this parking lot, there would not have been room for the students. Education comes first, right DOCTOR LISA??? I also doubt that Falwell would lie and say he invited Obama, if in fact, he did not. It must be that some people in this blog are so used to dishonest leaders, that they must assume Falwell did not actually invite Obama. I also believe that if I was in Obama’s position, I would have no desire to come to Liberty anyways. Why come to a school that disagrees with everything you stand for?
Am I mistaken, or was it Senator Obama who pushed for colleges in Virginia to have students register locally to vote? Wasn’t it also supported by the ACLU?
Come on people, are you really that angry that some college students get to practice their constitutional right with ease?
I would think someone with a Doctorate would be encouraging such things!
Well, as I said above,
and
Roberto, you appear to be an angry young man. I hope you do get your doctorate and learn to temper your sarcasm as well as your anger. You’ll go much further.
Sincerely,
Chicken Grease
He doesn’t seem angry at all…
But shame on young people for having an opinon! Shame on them for using logic and reason to counter weak points made by people who are older than them! Shame on them for using truth in their arguments!
Who are you? A parent? A student? Someone blogging from work, perhaps?
Lisa,
just wondering…what does it matter who he is?
Roberto gets on me for not saying who I was from the start, even though many of the people on here have not identified themselves until questioned. I perceived him as angry and Aaron doesn’t seem to like that. So, I wondered who he was–just like I wonder who you are as well.
So, how about it? Who are you, what is your connection here, and why does it matter why I wondered what his connection was?
Lisa,
Like I said before, if you wanted people to know you were a doctor, you should have indicated so at the beginning. I, on the other hand, am not going to throw credentials in order to argue a point. I have an opinion, and my opinion happens to be the opposite of yours. What does it matter who I am? It’s an open blog, am I right? It’s kind of funny that you would call me the angry one. Especially when you’re throwing a fit about some college students being enabled to vote with ease. If we want to talk credentials, Dr. Jerry Falwell Junior has a doctorate in law. I’m pretty sure he would not do anything that is illegal. Don’t you think this movement would have been stopped by now?
By the way, I’m sorry for complementing you as a doctor earlier. I now realize that you are a doctoral student and that I should not have called you doctor.
oh…and yes, i am someone blogging from work….NOT! Do you automatically assume that someone who has an opinion in the favor of this movement is involved or incompetent? Are you implying, by asking if I’m blogging from work, that I’m lazy and a horrible worker?
Lisa,
I also find it intriguing that you would be so quick to assume that I’m blogging during work. I’ve noticed that all of your blogs are written on a weekday. Three of them during working hours in the early afternoon……..
Now I’m not sayin……. I’m just sayin…..
Roberto,
I was responding to Aaron–not you–about blogging from work. Why are you assuming that everything I’ve said lately is all about about you? If you’re not angry, then you sure are defensive for some reason.
As for me? You can say whatever you like, but I’m retired and only take classes right now. So, no, I’m not blogging from work. And, unlike some people who go on blogs at all hours, I’m also smart enough to know that it’s the wrong thing to do at work, since they can track your computer time and/or location using the network resources. I personally know some people who have been fired for blogging on work time or even going online in unauthorized locations on work computers at lunch time/break. Blogging is for your free time–not your work hours. More and more companies are cracking down on employees who misuse company computers and the network.
Also, the comments I made about working on my doctorate were in response to something else said here and my perceived intent of those comments. Nothing at all to do with you and dealt with by those of us who were already talking. Therefore, it really doesn’t matter what you thought at all or if you didn’t read it correctly the first time. So, give it a break and find something constructive to do for a while.
For example, there’s plenty of people to talk to about the upcoming election. I personally don’t care who people vote for–I just like for them to exercise their civic responsibility and vote for the candidate of their choice. So, instead of coming on here to try to stir things up, GOTV for a change. Work to get your candidate elected. That’s a whole lot better than trying to show how snarky you can appear online. Because I can tell you, it’s sure not working for me . . .
Have a great life!
Lisa,
This is actually my first blog I’ve ever participated in. I do it for fun and as a practice of free speech. I wonder why you would say I came on here to stir things up because that is what you did. Rather than being afraid of some college students, why don’t YOU buckle up and work to support your candidate?
Btw, I find it interesting that Mark Brooks hasn’t talked since Taylor posted the link about college students getting registered to vote.
Hello fellow someone. I am a Liberty student. I do not see anything illegal here. This is the first time Liberty students will be allowed to have a voice in the local election here in Lynchburg. We are unfairly represented in the local economy and politics. It’s nice to have a voice, since I will be here for the next eight years of my life (graduate school, medical school, etc). I do not see why you would want to take that away.
Actually, for those wondering the Obama has been invited personally by several people from LU including Jerry Falwell Jr. He has declined up until now and I think someone from his campaign may even be visiting campus this week. LU has been completly fair to all parties.
Hey!
I’m getting all pumped up to vote next Tuesday! I got my voters card in the mail! It looks like it’s not illegal after all! I’m proud of all my fellow students who will be voting on that day as well!
You know what else is pretty cool? For all those people who doubted that Obama’s people were invited, the governor of Virginia came and spoke Monday in support of Obama. It looks like Liberty is legal after all.
All those poor liberals who are upset because a conservative campus gets to vote must be wetting their pants now.