An international political Web site established in the Netherlands last fall has been receiving more attention as the November 2004 presidential election draws near.

Theworldvotes.org Web site initiator, Wiebe de Jager, said in an e-mail message that the site began as a way to help citizens around the world express their opinions about American foreign policy.

"The [Web site] seeks to be a community for the world's citizens to let present and future presidents know what they expect of the world's most powerful state," Jager said.

Uma Asher (graduate-history) said she received information about the Web site from one of her friends at another university.

As a student from India, Asher does not have the right to vote in the United States, but she said the Web site serves as a forum for those in America who are unable to vote and would like their opinions about American politics to be heard.

"Anyone in the United States can use the Web site," she said. "I have sent this to my other international friends."

Jager said in the e-mail message that the Web site is not intended to be an anti-American campaign; instead, it is a way for Americans to understand the global impact this election will have.

Asher said that while she thinks Americans can benefit from thinking about the opinions expressed on the Web site, those opinions are coming from a limited area of the world.

"Everyone watches the United States, especially with the war," she said. "It seems that the Web site is not reflective of the world's opinion. The people are mostly from Europe."

College Democrats President Megan Green said she has heard of Web sites like this before and thinks it is important for Americans to understand a global view of foreign policy.

"We are supposed to be the world's superpower. Any action the U.S. takes is going to affect the world," she said. "There is a global implication with the election in November."

College Republicans President Andy Banducci said he does not think the Web site will cause the presidential candidates to alter their foreign policy initiatives.

"I don't think President Bush or Senator Kerry will change their entire platforms for foreign citizens," he said.

Green said she does not think American citizens will listen to the homogenous opinions from one area of the world.

Jager said shortly before the election on Nov. 2, www.theworldvotes.org will hold a mock election, comparing to the real one.