Oregon Gov. Kate Brown stood beside the ballot box in front of the EMU on Monday, encouraging University of Oregon students to vote in the general election and listening to input on local issues.
Prior to arriving on campus, Gov. Brown reached out to ASUO to help its members remind students to vote by the election’s Nov. 8 deadline. ASUO has been running a non-partisan “Get Out the Vote” campaign to assist students in voter registration and turning in ballots.
“I think that it is important for students to vote,” Gov. Brown said in an interview. “I think that those voices are critically important, and traditionally, students are underrepresented in the voting population.” About half of eligible citizens aged 18-29 voted in the 2012 general election, according to Politico. 
Gov. Brown asked the group of 21 students for ideas on what would be different in Oregon if more students voted. Students responded by saying that there would more funding for higher education, funding for music and arts in K-12 education and accessible housing.
UO freshman Marley Griffiths voted for the first time as Gov. Brown spoke. Griffiths is originally from Utah, but voted as an Oregon resident. Gov. Brown noticed her and led the crowd to cheer her on.
“I was super shocked,” Griffiths said about the moment. “It positively validates voting, because when I went to vote, I got cheer and applause, and the governor shook my hand.”
Gov. Brown, a Democrat, is running for re-election. Griffiths said that she voted for Brown.
“She supports all the stuff I believe in, like women’s rights,” she said.