pboyum@statesboroherald.com
Posted: Sept. 4, 2007 9:04 p.m.
A group has organized in Statesboro aimed at getting more students at Georgia Southern University registered to vote.
The College Student Association has helped 15 individuals get sworn in as deputy registrars and has at least 30 different voter registration drives scheduled around the city in the coming weeks. The locations primarily consist of apartment complexes almost exclusively populated by GSU students.
Cameron "Cam" Lewellen, 28, is the president of CSA and is a student at Georgia Southern. He has worked as a DJ for local restaurants and as a host for karaoke at Retriever's and other locales. He said he founded the group because he believes students are under represented in city government.
"There has not been a consolidated group that really reflected the college student interest," Lewellen said. "[In terms of revenue] I think what the college student represents for this town is very vital."
According to a representative from the GSU Student Organizations office, CSA is not an officially recognized or registered group at the university.
The Association printed up fliers that were first seen last Tuesday at restaurants that cater to student clientele around the campus. The fliers list all the dates and locations of the group's upcoming registration drives. A Herald photographer could not find anyone registering voters at a drive listed for Tuesday night at the Campus Club Apartments.
The fliers list the Association’s three primary concerns as alcohol issues at Statesboro restaurants, private property parking questions and towing problems.
In addition, the fliers list city council candidates Travis Chance and Nathan Queen and incumbent Will Britt as being "on students' side."
Chance is an independent insurance broker who is running against incumbent John Morris in District 5.
"I spoke with Cam and they have chosen to support me," Chance said. "I feel strongly that I can be fair with everyone and make a difference."
When asked about the CSA, John Morris said he hadn't heard of the group. He supported the registration effort but cautioned against tunnel vision by the candidates.
"If we get folks in there that are totally focused just on the rights of the college students, basically you're leaving everyone else out of the picture," Morris said. "That is their prerogative."
In order to be a deputy registrar, an individual must be a registered voter in the State of Georgia, not necessarily registered in Bulloch County.
According to Bulloch Deputy Registrar Shontay Jones, the county has just under 50 assistant deputies currently on the rolls. Many were deputized last week.
"Jason Franklin (owner of Retriever’s Sports Bar and Grill ) had a group of people he brought in and that is where the largest deputization came from," Jones said. "A group came in last Thursday that was a Georgia Southern NAACP organization and a couple of people from Alpha Phi Alpha."
A deputy is authorized to register new voters up to and including October 9th. While registering people to vote, registrars are forbidden by law to campaign for any particular party or candidate. They also are prohibited from giving away gifts or other enticements to persuade people to register.
"There should be nothing given away - no freebies, no stickers, no pencils, nothing," Jones said.
Queen, 26, is a GSU student majoring in General Studies and a longtime employee at Retriever's. He is running for the District 2 seat currently held by nine-year councilman, Gary Lewis. He said he was not recruited by CSA to run.
"I decided two years ago when I filed the lawsuit based on age restriction and when I realized the students were being misrepresented," said Queen. "I agree with most things CSA is saying."
Gary Lewis was asked about the CSA's effort to register student voters.
"Yes, sir. I heard about it," Lewis said. "I encourage my supporters to go out there and register too."
Mohammad Khan, owner of Don Corleone's Pizza paid to help create the CSA's Web site www.borovote.com.
"I'm donating my time by designing the Web site and maintaining it," Khan said. "In general, I support what they are trying to do."
Phil Boyum may be reached at 489-9454.
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