On Nov. 2, students from all around the Tristate participated in the Democratic process for the first time by voting in the closest presidential election in decades.

Some students from Northern Kentucky University, such as Sean Dunn, even worked the polls. “This is my first year voting so I was kind of excited (to work on Election Day), not to mention I could use the extra money.”

As part of Dunn’s training, he was required to show up early Monday evening. “I went to the polls, set up the ballot booths, signed my paycheck sheet and I left,” Dunn said. He also took part in some training to prepare him for Tuesday. “You had to take a two hour training seminar in an area of your choosing, and then you are qualified,” Dunn said.

He found out about the program from an e-mail sent to him through NKU. Dunn signed up to work in the Miami Whitewater station.

The night before working Dunn was unsure of what to expect at his first time voting and working as at the polls. “Really, I don’t know what to expect ’cause they haven’t told me, they just told me to bring a lunch and be there at 6 a.m., so I’m just going to go from there,” he said.

Many NKU students who have taken active roles in the election process have enjoyed it thoroughly. “This was my first time voting and it felt wonderful,” said David Pfaehler, junior history major. “It was simple…The process took about 15 minutes, but the actual voting took about one minute.”

Other students, such as freshman psychology major Mike Slayback, had to drive a good distance home to vote. “I am going home, about 45 minutes from here to Guilford, Ind., and voting at the library,” he said. Slayback said he didn’t mind the long drive home just to vote. “I am going out to vote because I need to; it’s my duty,” he said.

Other students said they were frustrated that they did not take time to vote or register. Freshman Kendra Justis said, “I didn’t vote because I didn’t register in time. I wish I could vote now just so I could have some say in it.”

Other students such as junior video production major Nick McMillen had a very short trip to the polls. “I only traveled two blocks down from my house at the Knights of Columbus at Ludlow,” he said. McMillen, who became interested in politics after the presidential election in 2000, said he didn’t find the voting process difficult at all.

“It was very easy, there’s nothing to it, I have voted in primaries before so I knew what I was doing,” he said. “There was practically no line at all and was not confusing.”

Pfaehler said that he voted very early and was disappointed in the number of young people he saw at the polls. “I voted at eight in the morning and I did not see any other college students,” he said. “I hope a lot of NKU students are out there voting but I’m not sure if they are.”