Dawn and Jimmy Gibbons Talk Reform for Republican Politics
November 5, 2008
The Nevada First Lady and her son are convinced that the youth vote is what gave Barack Obama the election. They now talk to the Reynolds School of Journalism about how the Republicans need to incorporate more youth voters in future elections.
Reported and produced by Nicole Brown
Young Republicans not surprised by outcome
November 5, 2008
The room fell silent at 8 p.m. in the convention center at the Eldorado Hotel Casino in Reno, when four television screens flashed “Obama elected president.”
Supporters of Republican presidential candidate John McCain had barely began to eat as Barrack Obama was declared president of the United States.
Young McCain supporters were not surprised at the win, but they still were upset.
“I’m devastated,” Calvin Giacomazzi, 19, said. “I really don’t know what to do.”
Giacomazzi had planned to join the Navy but is now hesitant: “He doesn’t support the military and I cannot support a man like that.”
Alec Elliott, 19, a McCain supporter, predicted this win.
“Obama had the money.” Elliot said. “He also had the popular vote and the youth.”
Elliott believes a different running mate might have secured this election for McCain.
“Mitt Romney would have been a much better choice,” Elliott said. “He is a businessman and he could have helped with the business side in this economic crisis.”
Michelle Beard, the volunteer office manager for the Washoe Republican Party, urges Republicans not to give up.
“Smile–because it’s not over.” she said. “It’s not even counted in all of the states.”
Beard said the names registered in the county will also be investigated.
“We want to make sure every name is real – and every vote is a legit vote.”
By Jessica Pacheco
Students struggle to vote from Chile
November 5, 2008
Kelly Peyton, a 20-year-old art major at the University of Nevada, Reno, was eager to vote in her first election. She sent in for her absentee ballot on Aug. 25, the day before she left to study abroad in Santiago, Chile, five time zones and almost 6,000 miles away.
She never received it.
Peyton is one among several UNR students in Santiago who have either not received their absentee ballots or received them late, jeopardizing their voice in the United States presidential election.
“I have been excited for this election for a long time,” she said. “We are all kind of bummed out that we can’t be there for it, so it sucks that it turned into such a dilemma to vote.”
There are more than 20 UNR students studying in Santiago. At least four students haven’t received ballots at all.
“It’s discouraging for students, especially those who are voting for the first time,” journalism instructor Deidre Pike said.
Pike, currently teaching travel writing and American and Latin American literary non-fiction in Santiago, received her ballot last Thursday.
“Apparently Washoe County had to finalize the referendum questions, so they got the ballots done as fast as they could,” she said. “But Chile. Mail service. Blah.”
She did not receive it in enough time to mail it back in without paying for overnight service. One student paid $40 to overnight her ballot, according to Pike.
Misty Kinser, a 26-year-old English and health ecology major, also never received her absentee ballot after applying in early October.
“I met people who told us that we could always do the emergency vote,” she said.
The Chilean embassy, however, informed her she would’ve had to fax her emergency vote two weeks ago.
To add yet another obstacle, the fax number for absentee ballots out of Chile was, according to Kinser, “busy yesterday or disconnected.”
“We have had conversations about how we think this is… well, ridiculous,” Peyton said. “Why should it be any different, you know? We’re still 100% citizens.”
Thankfully, the Washoe County Registrar of Voters allowed Pike and the students in Santiago to fax in their ballots.
“According to Washoe County they received our votes via fax,” Kinser said. “I have my fingers and toes crossed till midnight.”
Story by Brad Nelson
Young voters ‘had a huge impact’
November 5, 2008
Sen. Barack Obama won the presidency Tuesday night, and the University of Nevada, Reno may have played a role in that win.
“Young voters and students in Nevada had a huge impact on this election,” said Jeff Giertz, the Nevada deputy communications director for Obama for America. “Their level of excitement was higher in this election than in any I’ve been part of, than any in recent memory.”
According to CNN.com, exit polls showed that 67 percent of Nevada voters aged 18 to 29 voted for Obama and 32 percent for Sen. John McCain. That age group made up 17 percent of total Nevada voters.
“History has shown that the younger voter registers,” said Kathy Carter, community relations director for the Washoe County Registrar of Voters. “However, only one in four typically does vote. What we are seeing this year, though, is that yes, the younger voters are coming out.”
According to statistics from the Washoe County Registrar, the number of registered voters aged 18 to 24 in the county reached a record high of 26,478. Almost 11,000 registered with the Democratic Party.
Carter said that the UNR campus has “greatly facilitated” the ability of youth to vote in this election.
Obama took notice of UNR early in the election, visiting the campus once during the primaries and twice during the regular election.
“Washoe County and Northern Nevada were very important areas in this election,” Giertz said. “The purpose of the visits was to energize the youth vote.”
The power of the youth vote in Washoe County has garnered national attention.
As the only major university in a swing state’s swing county, UNR has piqued the interest of national media outlets.
CBS News’ Youth Vote Blog quoted the UNR campus newspaper, the Nevada Sagebrush, on the power of the young registered voters in the swing county of a swing state.
“In Washoe County alone, 26,478 youth voters are registered—almost 20,000 more than President Bush’s victory margin in 2004,” the article stated.
The Huffington Post took notice of the student vote, stating in one article that “UNR could be the key to the White House.”
Story by Colleen Hagen
Nevada turns blue
November 5, 2008
This photo of student Johnell Cropper, as she reflected on the enormous challenges facing the next president of the U.S., was taken by journalism student Heather Horn during an election celebration of the Black Student Organization on the University of Nevada, Reno campus.
Heather was part of a team of students and faculty from the Reynolds School of Journalism who turned a computer lab into an impromptu working newsroom for election night 2008.
A makeshift live audio show materialized in one corner of the newsroom, while faculty edited stories and kept an eye on the T.V. beaming through a computer projector in another corner. Four video teams checked out election parties and individual reporters scattered across campus and city to report on the historic election. This web site displays the products of an energetic evening of reporting, producing and publishing.
Now, the day after, a new assignment begins. We will continue to experiment with our journalism in response to the many challenges in our profession. We appreciate hearing your feedback and suggestions: journalism@unr.edu.
RSJ Faculty and Students
Reynolds School of Journalism
Soup du Journalism
Obama celebration party
November 5, 2008
Whether they are new voters to Nevada, or too young to vote, many gathered at the Grand Sierra Resort to support Obama and see whether their involvement could make a change.
International teens experience American election
November 5, 2008
RSJ reporters Blaine Dugan and Ashley Hess found a group of students from Squaw Valley Academy. Teacher Nick Thornley and his students are getting a first hand taste of the American electoral process.
New voter suggests researching the facts
November 5, 2008
Jessica Pacheco spoke to Michael Parish, a 19 year-old music major at TMCC, at the Republican election viewing party. Parish encouraged students to investigate and research their standpoints to form a solid opinion.
Video from the Democratic celebration party
November 5, 2008
Young graduates cheer after Obama took a major lead in electoral votes.
Reported by Blaine Dugan and Ashley Hess
Youth vote is seen across the nation
November 5, 2008
Reporter Jennie Lindquist talks with Obama national student campaigner Rachel Marshall about the youth vote throughout the United States.
Latest Headlines
- Dawn and Jimmy Gibbons Talk Reform for Republican Politics
- Young Republicans not surprised by outcome
- Students struggle to vote from Chile
- Young voters ‘had a huge impact’
- Nevada turns blue
- Obama celebration party
- International teens experience American election
- New voter suggests researching the facts
- Video from the Democratic celebration party
- Youth vote is seen across the nation
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