October 2008

Voter information links

Find sample ballots and more for your voting precinct in SD using the following links.

1. Get sample ballot. Go to the Voter Information Portal at https://apps.sd.gov/applications/st25cers/ Sign in with your name and birth date to view and print a sample ballot for your precinct.

2. Review ballot issues. Go to SD Secretary of State's page for Election and Voter Information at http://www.sdsos.gov/electionsvoteregistration/electionsvoteregistration_overview.shtm Click on "Upcoming Election" to read about the ballot issues and to find additional information about the election.

3. VOTE! -- Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Environmental database

Looking for environmental information? GreenFILE is a research database by EBSCOhost that focuses on environmental issues. It provides access primarily to magazine and journal articles but also to some government reports and book chapters. Topics include "global warming, green building, pollution, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, recycling, and more." Although you could find most of these articles by doing a search of all EBSCOhost databases, the narrow focus of GreenFILE may make it easier for you to find what you are seeking. Also, the "Subject Terms" tab at the top of the database window can be very helpful for identifying words to use in your searches.

Many other sources of information about the human impact on the environment can be found by searching the Library Catalog and the web. A few key resources that keep tabs on the state of the environment include:

• Global Environment Outlook, United Nations Environmental Programme

• ENTRI: Environmental Treaties and Resource Indicators, SEDAC, the Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center, U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

• State of the world : a Worldwatch Institute report on progress toward a sustainable society. This report on the state of the environment is published annually and the Mundt Library has the years from 1984 to the present. The latest edition is in the Reference Collection -- REFERENCE : HC59 .S82. Older editions are move to the Main Collection

• Teaching Resources, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  

Voter Registration & Candidate Forum on Campus

Register to vote (for any SD county) and learn about local candidates for the SD Senate and house through two activities.

1. "Exercise your right to vote! A voter registration drive will be held in the DSU Marketplace in the coming weeks. Those interested in voting in the November election need to fill out a voter registration card. Each person determines the county in which he or she wishes to register, so filling out the paperwork in the Marketplace does not mean that you need to vote in Lake County. Applications for absentee ballots and sample ballots will also be available.

Madison’s branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women) is sponsoring the event. The drive will be held October 7, 9, 15, and 16 from 11:30 to 1:00 and October 8 from 12:00 – 1:00. AAUW encourages everyone to participate in the process. For voting guides and voting records, visit http://www.aauw.org/. "

Source: DSUnews, October 2, 2008, by Deana Hueners-Nelson.

2. Attend the Candidate Forum to learn about District 8 candidates for the South Dakota Senate and House. Sponsored by AAUW, it will be held in the Marketplace in the Trojan Center on October 7 at 7pm. "The following candidates will offer prepared remarks as well as take questions from the audience."

For District 8 in the Senate: Scott Parsley (D) and Russell Olson (R).

For District 8 in the House: Mitch Fargen (D), Gerald Lange (D), Jerry Johnson (R), and Patricia Stricherz (R).

Source: DSUnews, October 2, 2008, by Deana Hueners-Nelson.