Yahoo! News - Student Get-Out-The-Vote Drive Halted

Student Get-Out-The-Vote Drive Halted

Thu Oct 28,12:28 PM ET

MILWAUKEE - The superintendent of Milwaukee schools halted a get-out-the-vote program involving students after complaints were raised about its link to a pro-Kerry organization.

Superintendent William Andrekopoulos acted late Wednesday, citing a policy that prohibits the district from being a political advocate.

His decision came a day after Republicans accused Democrats of using the students for political gain because the program was organized by the Wisconsin Citizen Action Fund, whose parent organization endorsed Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites) for president.

Students at 33 Milwaukee schools called voters and went door to door in minority neighborhoods and areas with historically low voter turnout, urging people to cast ballots in Tuesday's election. The young people, ranging in age from 11 to 18, often conducted the efforts during school hours.

'There were too many variables associated with canvassing for the district to manage,' district spokeswoman Roseann St. Aubin said. 'The administration felt it had to take action to avoid the appearance of any impropriety.'

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