By Alex Argiris

With the Nov. 5 election day in College Park quickly approaching, a recent ordinance passed by the city council might energize a new voting block. 

At a council meeting last month, the College Park City Council unanimously passed an ordinance outlawing “unruly social gatherings” of eight or more people. The ordinance included provisions that leave landlords susceptible to fines and license revocations. 

“It targets students…they’ve said it multiple times at council meetings and on social media that it does. It’s about students— there’s no hiding that,” said Dan Alpert, student liaison to the city council. 

Many organizations on campus opposed the ordinance, with over 2,000 students signing a petition calling on the city council to reconsider the proposal. Students and some residents argue that the bill is unnecessarily punitive.

In response to the ordinance, some members of Greek life on campus are looking for ways to make their voices heard. One possible avenue is registering to vote in College Park. 

“I just think the city council needs to have people on it who consider student interests,” said junior government and history double major Jack Singlestad. Singelstad is a member of a fraternity on campus and recently registered to vote in College Park. 

Several members of Greek life organizations have already made the decision to register, but 

Samantha Vorcheimer, a sophomore psychology student and member of a sorority, believes it might be difficult to encourage higher voter turnout among students.

“I think in theory it would be a good idea, but students barely vote in national elections as it is,” she said.

Vorcheimer said she didn’t believe the new ordinance would limit partying among Greek life. However, the ordinance could potentially lead to other unintended consequences.

“Three hundred votes changes things. As the liaison, just as a student, I think people should be registered to vote here,” Alpert said. “I don’t think they realize that they can be.”

In the most recent off-year election, College Park had just over 14% voter turnout, according to the city of College Park website. The percentage translates to about 2,648 voters. Mobilizing college students to vote has long been a challenge.

“As any politician, if a demographic isn’t gonna vote you out, it doesn’t really matter if they feel that students won’t have a say,” Alpert said. 

Alpert added that Maryland’s Interfraternity Council (IFC) does not plan to take any specific action in response to the ordinance, but he noted that greek life organizations have been taking positive steps on their own to limit unruly gatherings.

The city council has also indicated that they will meet with organizations on campus to discuss the effects of the ordinance. Such collaboration might help make students feel heard, but others appear poised to take a more proactive approach at the ballot box.