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Walking through the Memorial Union on Wednesday afternoon, the student body was abuzz with chatter about polling results.
General student reaction made it clear Question 1 was a key factor in bringing voters to the polls.
“I voted because I think people should have equal rights and I know someone who is a lesbian,” said Brian Cogley, a first-year student. “I would feel bad if she wanted to get married here and couldn’t.”
Cody Beckett, a first-year journalism student, was drawn to the polls for this reason as well.
“Question 1 was pretty big, and I’m disappointed [with its passage.] … I’m from Massachusetts and we have gay marriage,” Beckett said.
“I’m very disappointed — extremely. Specifically with Question 1,” said Kasey Spear, a fourth-year English student. “I was mostly voting for Question 1.”
Spear hopes the fight for marriage equality is not over. She hopes for an “intelligent dialogue” in the future.
Dyana-Marie Dyke, a third-year psychology student, has the same hope.
“So long as there are people out there, the fight’s not over,” she said.
Dyke attended the raising of the pride flag Wednesday afternoon as well. It was an emotional event for her. She explained she was moved by the event because the gay community was still standing strong in the wake of the defeat of gay marriage.
Renee Shina, a third-year studio art student, was disappointed with the result of the voting as well, but as a Catholic she had some empathy for the Yes on 1 supporters.
“I’m rather disappointed. At the same time, I understand why it went,” Shina said. “It scares people.”
She said gay marriage can bring up hard questions within people’s religions.
“‘Do I go with my morals, or do I go with my religion?’ In the end you go with your morals. Everyone’s morals are different,” Shina said.
“What I don’t understand is how it was pushed that marriage would be taught in schools,” said Nicholas Murphy, a third-year English student.
He said he had never been taught about marriage in school and that it was never a part of any curriculum he had been in.
Although most students were concerned with Question 1, other ballot questions drew them to the polls as well.
Question 5, to pass the legalization of medical marijuana dispensaries, was another hot topic for students on campus.
“I’m disappointed about one, but happy about five,” said Danny White, a third-year economics student.
“One was disappointing. … 5, I was satisfied,” added Andrew Doak, a third-year secondary-education student.
Both White and Doak were drawn to the polls to decide on Question 4 — TABOR. Both were relieved it did not pass.
A few students voted on the principle of voting alone.
“Basically, it’s my civic duty,” Beckett said.
“It’s my civic duty, as well as it’s what I’m going to be teaching,” Doak said of his future career as a high school American government teacher.
Bangor Daily News