Prairie View A&M University professor Erica R. Hughes wants students to understand the long-term and short-term effects of failing to vote.
Hughes, an alumna of the university, is the Democratic candidate for Waller County Judge, Court-at-Law, a position she says she will use to shed light on social injustices in the county. Her opponent is Republican June Jackson.
“Voting can mean the difference in whether or not there will be more funding cuts from higher education institutions,” Hughes said. It is estimated that 14.5 million dollars will be cut from Prairie View’s budget.
Another issue that would affect the students is the athletic fee. The university currently doesn’t get enough funding to support its athletics program, which is why students are required to pay a fee. This requirement could possibly be eliminated in 2013, leaving the fate of the athletics program unknown.
Hughes plans to get a voting box back on campus in order to ease the task of voting for students.
With the addition of the voting box, students will no longer have to go to the community center or court house.
She said, “This is an issue of race and party control. They know if Prairie View students voted, it would dramatically sway the vote to an unfavorable one for them.”
Every college campus statewide has a voting box except Prairie View A&M University resulting in a low voter turnout in the primary elections.
Hughes graduated in 2003 with a degree in electrical engineering. She was a member of PALs, SGA, National Society of Black Engineers, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
“I was very involved on campus in various activities so I can relate to the students and the problems they face,” she said.
Hughes is currently a university political science professor, an attorney, and a citizen of Waller County.
Students are encouraged to come out and vote to show Waller County that they have a voice. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Hughes, SGA and Campus Activities Board will collaborate to orchestrate a march from the campus to the community center on Nov. 2.