ASUA’s latest effort to ramp up voting excitement brings a political debate to campus.
The Associated Students of the University of Arizona have organized a debate between candidates for Arizona’s 8th Congressional District on campus in the Student Union Memorial Center Ballroom at 7 p.m. today. This comes on the heels of their first sponsored debate, held at the Pima Community College Desert Vista Campus on Wednesday.
Incumbent Democrat Gabrielle Giffords and challengers Republican Jesse Kelly and Libertarian Steve Stoltz have all agreed to participate.
“”It’s really important to be able to provide opportunities like this for students,”” said ASUA President Emily Fritze. “”For students who know they are going to vote, it will be really accessible on campus.””
Fritze, who played a pivotal role in bringing the debates to campus, said it is vital for students to get involved with those who are slated to represent them.
“”It shows that students really care about elections and who is representing them,”” she said. ASUA collaborated with Arizona Public Media, the Arizona Students’ Association, the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Cox Communications to bring the debate to campus.
Christopher Conover from Arizona Public Media will lead the questioning panel, which includes local journalists and student representatives like Fritze.
“”It’s an honor,”” Fritze said of the position. After working to bring the debate to campus, she was excited when approached to be on the panel.
Fritze also said she would take student question suggestions either through her blog postings or by email, so that her questions will most accurately represent the ideas of the student body.
Doors for the event will open at 6 p.m. and close 15 minutes before the debate begins. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
No signs with sticks are allowed at the debate.
For students or other community members that cannot attend the debate, Arizona Public Media plans to air the proceedings live on PBS-HD Channel 6, NPR-KUAZ 89.1FM/1550AM as well as streaming online at the Arizona Public Media website.
