South grad's Web site designed to create educated voters
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

DiNunzio

Like many Americans, Alexander DiNunzio, 20, is frustrated with election 2008 and understanding the presidential candidates' views.

(See editorial on page four)

But unlike many Americans, he did something about it. He created a Web site to educate voters.

The Williamsville South graduate said he was frustrated in looking for answers to his questions about the candidates and not finding them.

"I found my answers were hard to find, the comments from the candidates are diluted (and) they don't give a straight-line answer. You have to filter through the nonsense," he said.

A student at the University at Buffalo, DiNunzio said his research changed his mind on who he plans to vote for. He also found that every candidate has faults.

Launched in December 2007, www. youngamericanvoters. com is gaining popularity around the country. DiNunzio's girlfriend, Haley Anderson, also of Williamsville, is attending school in Alabama where she is promoting the Web site as well.

"It's an unbiased political Web site designed to give all Americans the opportunity to influence the outcome of the 2008 monumental presidential election," he said. "My goal is to not only help individuals discover the candidates, but to prove to them that their opinion and vote can actually change our country."

From the comments posted on the site and his own research, DiNunzio said he has found people ages 18-40 are "really getting stuck" when deciding who to vote for. He attributes that to middle of-the-road thinking.

"I am hoping one candidate emerges that we all can vote for," he said.

The Web site includes an issue by-issue comparison of the candidates, an interactive chart showcasing 34 specific issues, a forum, a teachers' page, a quiz to determine if the visitor is liberal, conservative or moderate and a cumulative presidential poll.

DiNunzio said he hopes the site will help voters make educated decisions.

While researching the topic of youth politics, he found there was a need for easily accessed information.

Some of the responses to his site have been that the user feels more confident discussing politics and now feels confident to vote on a candidate.

DiNunzio said he feels that if his site results in one person feeling more informed when voting, then his months of work will be worth it.

His sister, Rachel, illustrated the Web page, and Justin Fenar, also a Williamsville native, has helped run the site.

In New York, the presidential primary is on Tuesday, Feb. 5 and nationwide, Election Day is Nov. 4.