Election Night Party
at UC San Diego Includes Political
Science Experts and Hundreds of
Students Hoping for their Favorites to Win

October 30, 2008

By Christine Clark

Big screen TVs, free food and drinks, and expert political commentary on state-by-state results of a riveting presidential campaign are expected to attract hundreds of UC San Diego students to “Election Night:  A Political Party” on campus beginning at  7:15 p.m. on Nov. 4.

“We’re looking forward to having some exciting discussions on Election Night and a fantastic party,” said Political Science Professor Thad Kousser, the faculty coordinator of the evening’s program at Great Hall on the UC San Diego campus.

Kousser will be joined by political science professors James Fowler and Sebastian Saiegh for panel discussions. All three faculty members are prominent experts on American and comparative politics. Saiegh is fluent in Spanish. Other panelists will include students analyzing this year’s national, state and local election results and discussing ways for students to become active in the future.

Nearly 4,000 students recently registered to vote through a non-partisan student voter registration drive, and to accommodate the surge of student voters on campus, the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, working with the university’s Office of Student Affairs, more than doubled the number of polling places since the last presidential election from three to seven.

The students will watch the results come in, participate in formal and informal discussions and enjoy the free party food and non-alcoholic beverages.  Professors and students will be available for news media interviews, and photo opportunities.

Media Contact: Christine Clark, 858-534-7618