They could have been at the bar, they could have been at the library, but former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland was happy they were waiting in line to vote instead.

Strickland visited The Ohio Union Tuesday evening to boost the morale of those voters still waiting in line.

He arrived at about 6:30 p.m., and told The Lantern it was important for elected officials and community leaders to express the significance of getting young people involved.

“Quite frankly this election will do more to determine the future for these students than it will affect my life,” Strickland said.

Strickland said he was proud of the Ohio State students who were waiting in line to vote, and was impressed with voter turnout.

“They could be in the library, they could be in a neighborhood bar, they could be doing any number of things,” Strickland said. “But they’ve chosen to stand here in the cold outside the building … for an hour or two hours or even more for some of them, and that’s wonderful.”

Though many students appeared to not recognize Strickland, others were pleased he stopped by.

“I thought it was pretty cool. I was surprised to see him here,” said Jordan Denton, a June 2012 graduate in sport and leisure studies. “I would think that seeing someone high profile like that would make people excited to vote.”

Other students agreed that it was a good morale boost.

“I really like Gov. Strickland,” said Andrew Bentley, a fourth-year in aircraft systems. “It’s kind of neat to see how he really cares and wants to improve on the students’ thoughts about voting and that type of stuff.”

Strickland was governor of Ohio until 2011, when he was ousted by Republican Gov. John Kasich.