Should Georgetown Student Voters Register in D.C.?

Amidst the larger national debate over voter registration and voting requirements for election this fall, a smaller local issue has stirred in Georgetown: should students attending Georgetown University switch their voter registration to D.C. or keep their home state registration?

In The Hoya Tuesday, the student newspaper's editorial board told students not to bother registering in D.C.

"Georgetown students would be misguided to diminish their voice by voting here, rather than joining the battle back home in what is such a meaningful election for the future of our country," they opined.

The editorial focused on the lack of voting rights in Congress for District residents and the minor role student voices tend to play in decision making. Considering that and the possible importance of just a few votes in a swing state, The Hoya says to vote absentee.

But Georgetown resident and Georgetown Metropolitan writer, Topher Mathews takes a different view on the matter. Writing on Greater Greater Washington Wednesday, Matthews said:

"Yes, registering to vote in DC carries with it the added price of removing your (tiny) voice from Congress. And that sucks. But removing your relatively larger voice from the local conversation based upon the statistically improbable chance that your vote might be decisive back home is just delusional."

Students are not alone in debating the switch to D.C. residency. Many new workers who move to the District hold onto their state residency and voting registration for many of the same reasons The Hoya offered.

What do you think? Should new residents and students register to vote in D.C.? Or does that national importance of the 2012 election outweigh having a say in local decisions? Tell us in the comments.