Despite efforts to encourage Penn State students to vote in today's elections, most say they believe turnout will be what it has been in the past -- poor.

Laura Brown, senior undergraduate studies adviser, said she thinks most students want to be good citizens and vote, but the pressure of schoolwork can make it impossible.

"Some students don't even know it's Tuesday, let alone what the issues are," Brown said. "They are at a point in their lives where schedules are so hectic that it can be so difficult to vote."

Edward Robinson (senior-nuclear engineering) is one of those hectic students who does not plan on voting.

"I am registered, but I am so busy and haven't seen a lot of coverage," Robinson said.

Undergraduate Student Government President Ian Rosenberger said in order to change the way the university is run, there must be a better student voter turnout.

"The easiest way to lower tuition is to vote," Rosenberger said. "People in Harrisburg are not going to listen to student concerns until they see Penn State as a strong voting base."

He said the turnout of students is a major concern, especially since three-fourths of those able to vote in the county are at Penn State.

Rosenberger added that voter registration is the key element in getting students to vote, and the easier it is to register, the better the voter turnout would be.

"If we could put registration forms in each freshman's mailbox, I think we would see a difference in the number of students who vote," he said.

Joyce McKinley, director of elections for Centre County, said there is no way to specifically track the number of registered student voters.

She added that 73,038 voters are registered in the county for this year's election.

Brown is involved in a program that will be focusing on providing students with information and resources for the elections in 2004.

"We haven't done anything for this election because we are just starting out," she said. "But we hope to make progress in getting a better student turnout."

Diana Leygerman (junior-media studies) said that she is registered to vote in her hometown, but will not vote here.

"It really doesn't interest me," she said. "It honestly doesn't matter to me."

Other people said that they would not vote because they do not feel they are informed enough to make a decision.

"I haven't had time to follow this election," Michelle Ripka (sophomore-crime, law and justice) said. "I am registered to vote here but I won't."

Becky Layne (senior-biology) said although she will not be at the polls today, voting is still important.

"I'm not registered so I won't vote," she said. "But if I had the time, I definitely would."

Last year, there were about 8,000 voters registered to vote in student-predominated precincts, but only about 1,000 actually voted.