Political involvement on campus is on the up-swing, according to the leaders of several student political groups.
Party- and candidate-driven campus organizations have noted a recent rise in interest as a presidential election year approaches.
Daniel Kennedy, president of Duke College Republicans, said his organization, which has around 500 members on its e-mail list, has seen a recent surge in participation. DCR, which typically has sent one or two members to the North Carolina College Republicans State Convention, recently sent 10 students.
Duke Democrats Co-President Zeb Smathers said the group recently registered 250 students during a voter registration drive on campus. He added that people are crossing party lines in an effort to remove President George W. Bush from office. "There are also people coming to our meetings who are not Democrats, just to make sure Bush is out in 2004," Smathers said.
The organizers of candidate-driven organizations are also gearing up for next year's primaries and elections by attempting to target students who may recognize the growing importance of national politics.
"Right now [the presidential election] is very distant on the horizon but as it becomes more and more up front, people are going to have to notice it," said Ian Millhiser, coordinator for the Duke Students for Dean campaign. "In any political campaign there are always a lot of sleepers out there who want to get involved in a campaign. One of our primary purposes is that we can show people how to get involved."
Duke Democrats Co-President Jared Fish attributed the recent increase of student involvement in politics to the fact that politics are playing a bigger role with the impending elections.
"I think definitely part of the increase in participation is due to the fact there is a sense of urgency," he said. "That's why I think we've seen a greater number of students involved."
Fish added that he personally got involved with the organization as a result of concerns with the presidential election.
Political organization leaders intend to funnel the newfound increase in student interest into activities and programming that will not only attract new students but support their group's individual cause. Those working within candidate-driven clubs will focus on activities and events to show support for their hopefuls.
"The plan is really to start doing more programming and developing things come January, since the elections will be nearer then," Sarah Hawkins, leader of Duke Students for Bush, said.
Millhiser agreed, saying that his group will be planning events such as speakers and flyering to get the word out about candidate Howard Dean.
More than anything, campus political group leaders stress the need for student participation. "People need to be a part of the [voting] process so we elect good leaders," Fish said.
Hawkins agreed. "In an election that can depend on 500 votes, student support and involvement are crucial."
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