Letters to the Editor for Sunday, October 25, 2009

Writer: College students have right to vote locally
In her Oct. 15 letter to the editor, Elizabeth M. Austin raised some common themes that have been used for years to deny a group of individuals — college students — the right to vote. She specifically mentions the payment of vehicle registration taxes. The problem is the 24th Amendment prohibits Congress and the states from establishing the payment of a tax as a prerequisite to vote. Furthermore, in 1966 the Supreme Court, in Harper vs. Virginia Board of Elections, declared that all state poll taxes were unconstitutional. These actions by our government were specifically designed to allow “representation without taxation.”

Until recently, the college student population has been “taxed without representation” due to the fact they pay sales taxes and are counted in the city census, but yet they were prohibited from casting a vote. This is significant because several federal and state funding sources to localities are based in part upon population. In addition, the boundaries of Lynchburg’s four wards are also impacted by census numbers.

Does just paying taxes in a locality automatically grant one the right to vote? No, of course not! However, the change in the law now grants college students the right to vote in the city or town in which they register.

Lynchburg is facing a challenge found in all college towns — the integration of “town and gown.” So why should the city embrace the college voter and the educational industry? Lynchburg has been blessed with several quality institutions of higher education, and the city should do more to utilize the resources and core competencies of these entities.

A good example of these institutions forming a partnership that transcends politics and philosophical differences to make a difference in the community is the Wimax technological joint venture by Liberty University and the Virginia School of the Arts. Another piece of low-hanging fruit is mass transit. Liberty’s partnership with GLTC has cut approximately 577,000 miles driven on Lynchburg roads and resulted in a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. This partnership could be leveraged to include all the institutions of higher education and make an even bigger impact on the local road system and environment. Many additional common goals and opportunities exist, if we as a community, realize the value college students and their respective institutions bring to Lynchburg.

Conspiracy theories of takeovers are nothing more than the fear of the unknown. Local politicians will still get elected the same way. In fact, Del. Shannon Valentine has been campaigning at LU as well as Scott Garrett. Two items that have a direct impact on students are local ordinances that increase the cost of business for their institution (which in turn impact tuition rates) and the local sales tax rate. Now, with the change in the law, college students will finally have their voices heard.

The bottom line is the needs of this new group will have to be addressed by those running for office along with all the other groups of voters.
LEE BEAUMONT
Lynchburg

Editor’s Note: Beaumont is director of auxiliary services for Liberty University.