So after spending hours on Columbia’s campus, talking to students, roaming College Walk, and checking out the polling stations in Wein Hall, we had yet to see any substantial proof on campus that Hillary’s campaign actually exists here. After spending time talking to students, voters, and poll workers in Wein Hall, we saw someone wearing a Hillary button!
It’s 7:15, and less than two hours remain before New York polls close and results start coming in. We’re inside Wein Hall, the polling place for Columbia and Barnard Universities and the surrounding neighborhoods.
About half a block down the street, Columbia senior David Ma is standing on the street, asking every person that passes by, “Have you voted yet?” He holds a large Obama sign and wears an Obama sticker.
So far, we’ve seen phonebanking, posters, stickers, and a table for Obama. But where are the Students for Hillary? Where have they been all day?
At the polls, I spoke to Mollie Stein, a Barnard sophomore who had been campaigning for Hillary earlier today. She acknowledged the lack of visibility on campus, saying “there hasn’t been that much for Hillary — but just from talking to people, a lot of them are voting for her.” Stein said that from what she has seen, the election in New York “seems like it could go either way,” though she hopes Hillary wins because “she needs to win New York.”
Right now, I’m on the train on my way to New York with photographer Aaron Goodman and videographer (and web editor) Albert Sun. We’re in New Jersey and should arrive at Penn Station in a little under an hour.
I’ll be reporting throughout the day from Columbia University on what students there are doing to get out the vote, and campaign for their candidates.
With 281 delegates at stake, New York is the second-largest prize in the Super Tuesday lineup, and one that is incredibly important to Senator Clinton in her campaign for president. Columbia is part of the 15th congressional district in New York, which includes upper Manhattan and Harlem. The district is represented in Congress by Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel.
Currently, Clinton has a significant lead in New York state. According to RealClearPolitics.com, Clinton leads Obama 53.5 percent to 36.3 percent, a 17.2-point margin. Considering that Clinton is the senator from New York, this lead is to be expected.
Some background on the area surrounding Columbia:
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