The Cellar Bistro was filled yet again by students turning out for a viewing of the third and final debate, hosted by ASUA.
As with the past two viewings, the Associated Students of the University of Arizona and the Arizona Students’ Association collaborated to put on the event, which featured giveaways and opportunities to sign up to the ASUA listserv.
Some students who attended past debates said they found the event beneficial and educational, and decided to return — this time with friends.
Philosophy, politics, economics and law freshman Daniel Douglas returned with his friend Kara Lee, a linguistics freshman, after attending a previous viewing. Lee said she enjoyed the event because she could ask Douglas questions about the candidates and talk about the debate.
Undeclared freshman Stephanie Salazar also brought a friend, engineering freshman Ryan Petronella, with her to the event. Petronella said he caught a little bit of the debate that was shown at the Rad, White and Blue Block Party at the beginning of the month, but didn’t attend last week’s debate viewing at the Cellar Bistro.
Petronella didn’t find the event as educational as other students did, he said.
“I already have my mind mostly made up,” he added. “I kind of think some of the things they are saying are ridiculous, but it’s interesting.”
Other students came out to enjoy the atmosphere rather than sit at home by themselves. Psychology freshman Jessica Draper said she saw the information for the viewing on ASUA’s website.
“I knew I missed it the last time that it was viewing here, and so I just watched it in my room,” Draper said. “Since it’s my first year able to vote, I want to make sure I’m involved at least.”
While students did return to watch the debate, event organizers were aware that there were not as many as at last week’s debate.
“I definitely think the turnout for last week was better,” said ASA intern and public policy junior Olivia Traylor. “And then the turnout for the first one, the block party, was also better because it was in a more open space and more open to the public.”
Despite the drop in numbers, ASUA President Katy Murray said that the debate viewings were an overall success, and the next step is emphasizing the voting station students can use and getting out the vote.
“I think that this was a great way to finish up our education on the presidential candidates,” Murray said. “So now, starting tomorrow, we move into doing some education on some other aspects that students can vote on, including the congressional candidates and the senatorial candidates.”
ASUA will be handing out voter guides to students to educate them on relevant issues on the ballot that will affect voters for the next four years. The guides will feature information on count boundaries, who the candidates are, what propositions are on the ballot and what issues pertain directly to Arizona.
