This post was written by Hatchet reporter Ellie Smith.
University President Steven Knapp has voted. Have you?
Knapp went to the School Without Walls polling center Tuesday morning to cast his vote. Knapp recognized students’ enthusiasm for politics, as GW has been regularly named the most politically engaged student body in the nation, and he said he “shares that spirit of engagement.”
“Voting is an expression of democracy and you know as I’m in charge of a University that was founded on a vision that was spelled out by George Washington, our nation’s founder, and so I think it is particularly important,” Knapp said.
He added that many of the issues on the ballot directly impact GW students. Aside from the mayoral race, D.C. will also decide whether the city government should legalize personal marijuana use.
“I think it’s great if our students are part of the democratic process here in the District of Columbia,” Knapp said.
Residents will also vote for the first time on their pick for attorney general for D.C.
Frank Fritz, a sophomore who said he voted for Democratic mayoral candidate Muriel Bowser, said he was inspired to vote after learning about the referendum to legalize marijuana in the District through his work with the GW Roosevelt Institute.
“I was probably already going to vote here, but that really set my mind on voting here,” Fritz said.