Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman named two ASU students to the city's Ad Hoc Rental Housing Task Force Thursday in an attempt to bring renter and student perspectives to the group.
Hallman said he chose Ed Hermes, a political science senior, and David Eck, who is an aerospace engineering undergraduate, because they had strong resumes and rented single-family homes in Tempe.
The announcement came at the end of the City Council meeting.
Hermes addressed the council at its Oct. 6 meeting regarding the addition of an early-voting site on campus. Hallman said he was impressed with Hermes' presentation.
"I think he demonstrated he would take [the task force] very seriously," Hallman said.
Hallman said Eck was a longtime Valley resident and a longtime renter who would benefit the task force.
"I'm very excited, not only that one student was picked, but that two students were picked," Hermes said.
Other students continued to press the council for an early-voting site on campus for the March 14 City Council primary election.
Undergraduate Student Government members met with Hallman Thursday morning to discuss the issue, and two students addressed the council at the meeting.
The on-campus site would make it easier for students to vote in the election, which is during spring break, USG members said.
But Richard Sales, a senator for USG, said the council would not do more than suggest students use mail-in ballots.
"I think the council is too stubborn to move on this issue," Sales said. "I felt that students deserved the same opportunities to vote as everyone else."
City officials provided Sales with a stack of early ballot request and voter registration forms to distribute to students.
Hallman suggested USG encourage students to vote by mail, as it would be an easier and less-expensive solution.
Early-voting sites cost the city about $4,000, according to the Tempe City Clerk's office.
Tempe Vice Mayor Mark Mitchell also said voting by mail would be the best option for students who would be away from Tempe during spring break.
"You can't make it much easier than that," Mitchell said.
"I think it's great students are getting involved," he added.
Mitchell said he hoped students would become more involved with the city by voting or applying for city boards and commissions.
"I think it's positive that they care," he said.
Reach the reporter at emilia.arnold@asu.edu.
