By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – Illinois State University students have taken their concerns with the Bone Student Center’s polling place last month to the McLean County Board Finance Committee.

Speaking to the committee on Wednesday, student Joe Gorski said students faced confusing circumstances.

“Some were not given I.D. cards by election judges after register, which led election judges to need to send them back in line to register again,” said Gorski. “It’s important to remember that many students are first time voters. They’re not familiar with the electoral process. They’re not familiar with the political process.”

Gorski was worried the long lines and confusion students experienced will become the norm.

“Some seem to have stated that this is simply how things will be in the future, and maybe there is merit to that, but while the circumstances of the 15th were extraordinary, I don’t think that we need to accept this as the new normal,” Gorski said.

Another student, Andrew Dolgin, said many student’s their first impressions of voting were not good.

“Should these same issues arise in November then I really don’t see it could be any surprise to see low student enthusiasm to go vote,” Dolgin said.

McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael said the same day voter registration law added to the lines as many ISU voters were not registered yet. Committee Chairman Ben Owens said everyone is frustrated and the county is working on creating a smoother process for November.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].