Editorial: Your Vote Will Matter

Even more exciting, many of the contests are predicted to be close races. If you are registered in Pennsylvania, your vote will matter tomorrow. While The Daily Pennsylvanian does not endorse political candidates, we strongly encourage students to exercise their right to vote. In the race to fill the Senate seat left vacant when John Heinz died in a plane crash, the Democratic incumbent Harris Wofford has put up a surprisingly strong challenge to Republican Candidate and former Governor Richard Thornburgh. In August, the race looked like a sure win for Thornburgh. Today, most polls put the two candidates dead even. The two Senatorial candidates offer a real choice. Thornburgh opposes gun control. Wofford supports it. Wofford has made nationalized health care for all American citizens his central platform issue. Thornburgh calls that an impractical idea. Thornburgh's campaign has centered on his contention that he has a proven record of creating jobs and cutting taxes as a two-term governor of Pennsylvania. He says that as senator he will help bring even more jobs to the region. On one issue, which divides many students, the candidates have differing positions. Thornburgh opposes abortion. Wofford, while saying that abortions should be limited to the first two trimesters and that parental consent should be required, still comes across supporting abortion rights. Many pundits have labeled the Thornburgh-Wofford race a referendum on the tenure of President Bush. If Thornburgh wins, Bush will sleep more easily. But a Wofford win would engerize the Democratic presidential campaign. If you have strong opinions on any of the issues involved in the Senate election, your vote could change the outcome. Although the race for mayor of Philadelphia promises to be less exciting, the issues involved are no less important. The city is on the verge of fiscal collapse and the next mayor will have to deal with Philadelphia's long-term woes. Democratic candidate Edward Rendell has proposed privatizing many city services in the hope of saving money. His Republican opponent, Joseph Egan says there is no quick fix to the city's problems, but opposes privatization, saying that it will only hurt union jobs without saving any money. Regardless of the outcome of the races, the next mayor and city council of Philadelphia will have a direct impact on the lives of students living, working and studying in Philadelphia. There's no excuse for apathy. Go to the polls tomorrow and vote.

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