If you’re a conservative Republican looking to surround yourself with scores of individuals who share the same political viewpoints as you, excuse the pun, but the city of Athens may not be the “right” place for you.
Despite all the city has to offer, one thing that Athens lacks, political analysts and local officials have said, is a wide variety of political stances.
According to the Athens County Board of Elections data from before the May 6 primary, a mere 7.76 percent of registered voters in Athens identify as Republicans, compared to a significant 18.05 percent of the population who identify as Democrats.
Pete Couladis, chairman of the Athens County Republicans, said that’s more than just a slight disparity — it is a very serious issue, he believes, that indicates a lack of touch with reality in the area.
In order to appeal to voters in Athens, Couladis said Republicans have to be smart about who they talk to.
He added, “(We have to) appeal to the thinking independents first, then appeal to the thinking Democrats,” the ones “who don’t just drink the Kool-Aid.”
Couladis urged students to steer away from what he believes is a classroom bias or becoming disinterested.
“They’re either on drugs or they have no clue what’s going on in the world,” he said.
But leaders on the political left say Couladis’ statements about student apathy couldn’t be further from the truth.
“I don’t see any need for much change,” said Helen Walker, the Democratic Chair of the Athens Board of Elections. “We have a great group of students involved in local politics.”
Debbie Quivey, director of the Athens County Board of Elections, said that there are many ways for students in Athens to get involved in local politics.
Despite the political gap between local parties, there will likely be a place on campus for you, no matter your political affiliation. Ohio University has student organizations for both Republicans and Democrats, as well as a libertarian group, Students for Liberty.
Since Ohio University students typically live in Athens at least nine months out of the year, they are eligible to register to vote in Athens’ local elections. Students can register to vote at the Athens County Board of Elections Office at 15 S. Court St.
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