Young voters at UW-Madison
Campus groups mobilize for their candidates
By Jessica Pharm
Campus groups mobilize for their candidates
By Jessica Pharm
With the election now only a few days away, both Republicans and Democrats are frantically trying to pull in voters of all backgrounds to join their cause.
No place is more representative of the epic battle than the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The campus, much like the city of Madison, prides itself on being a
progressive city, with a small town feel. However, here on campus, the fight to secure students to vote for either Sen. McCain or Sen. Obama has made these last
few months very interesting.
For years, candidates have understood the importance of involving young voters in the election. This election is no different, young people are again being
reminded the value of their vote.
When one read the articles both sides submit to campus newspapers like The Badger Herald or the Daily Cardinal, it’s hard to deny that both the College
Republicans and the College Democrats are in a struggle to win over student voters. However, the methods are surprisingly similar for both sides.
Kathryn Nix, a member of the College Republicans and statewide chair for Students for John McCain, is a staunch supporter. Having joined the College
Republicans this year, Nix works on mostly campaign efforts geared towards encouraging students to vote.
“The College Republicans have been working in collaboration with the local Republican campaign committed in the city. We have been reaching out via
phone contacts, making flyers that go more in-depth about issues that are usually glossed over in commercials.”
While informing students is a major priority for the College Republicans, Nix added they are also encouraging students to vote for McCain because he will
bring much needed change to the White House.
When asked about the appeal McCain had with young voters, Nix remarked, “Young people here on campus and in general are not drawn to McCain as
they are to Obama. Obama has a rock-star persona going on, which draws in young people.”
On the other end of the spectrum, the College Democrats and the Students for Barack Obama are campaigning just as vigorously. Claire Rydell, chair of
the College Democrats and Ami El Sharief of Students for Barack Obama, are encouraging students to get to vote.
Rydell has worked for the College Democrats for almost two years and served as chair of the executive board. Ami El Sharief helped to establish Students
for Barack Obama in February 2007. Currently El Sharief chairs the group overseeing the campaigning on campus.
Both women said that the College Democrats and Students for Barack Obama are working together campaigning. The two groups also share the same goals
when it comes to increasing student awareness on campus.
“Our main goal for the College Democrats is just to get students out to vote, we don’t ask who they are voting for, only that they do so,” Rydell said. “It’s
important for students to be aware what is going on in the world around them.”
When asked about the impact of young voters, El Sharief shared Rydell’s enthusiasm. “Wisconsin has a tradition of young voters in elections,
she said. “New students are becoming aware of the need to vote to get their voices heard. Many are excited because it’s their first time voting in an election, so
we are hoping for a high voter turnout.”
While many students are wearing their McCain or their Obama gear, what attracts each student to either candidate is based on personal decisions.
“Younger people votes are more ideological and while things such as Obama’s health care may sound like a good thing, the negative effects are not so good,”
Nix commented.
El Sharief also talked about the appeal Obama have with younger people. “Young people are drawn to Obama because he truly does represent change,” El
Sharief said. “Not only does he relate to students on issues such as college expenses, but the frustration with the war in Iraq. He is able to motivate those who
have never voted to come out and be a part of something. Obama is much better at mobilizing people to get the job done.”
In the days before Election Day, the College Democrats and the Students for Barack Obama are making sure students are aware where to vote and voting
procedures.
“We don’t want anyone turned away because they are wearing an Obama pin or a McCain t-shirt. On the other hand, we don’t want anyone not to vote
because they are unsure of where to go to place a vote. We are covering all of our bases.” Rydell Commented.
For the College Republicans and the College Democrats, November 5 is only the beginning.
“We are working on making sure that more democrats are elected into office and making sure that after four years, we can perhaps get either Obama again
or another democratic President,” Rydell said.
As for the College Republicans, they will be refocusing their efforts from campaigning to grassroots to after November 5 in an effort to bring about change.
“We want to make sure that the next four years aren’t like the last eight. To that we must make sure that issues like healthcare and education are at the forefront.”
Nix said.
Both the College Republicans and the College Democrats have worked hard to increase student voter turnout on Election Day. To increase student
awareness about important issues such as healthcare, taxes, college education, will allow students to connect to a worldview and be in engage in a political
process that will affect their lives for the next four years.
Jessica Pharm is a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She can be reached at pharm@wisc.edu.
No place is more representative of the epic battle than the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The campus, much like the city of Madison, prides itself on being a
progressive city, with a small town feel. However, here on campus, the fight to secure students to vote for either Sen. McCain or Sen. Obama has made these last
few months very interesting.
For years, candidates have understood the importance of involving young voters in the election. This election is no different, young people are again being
reminded the value of their vote.
When one read the articles both sides submit to campus newspapers like The Badger Herald or the Daily Cardinal, it’s hard to deny that both the College
Republicans and the College Democrats are in a struggle to win over student voters. However, the methods are surprisingly similar for both sides.
Kathryn Nix, a member of the College Republicans and statewide chair for Students for John McCain, is a staunch supporter. Having joined the College
Republicans this year, Nix works on mostly campaign efforts geared towards encouraging students to vote.
“The College Republicans have been working in collaboration with the local Republican campaign committed in the city. We have been reaching out via
phone contacts, making flyers that go more in-depth about issues that are usually glossed over in commercials.”
While informing students is a major priority for the College Republicans, Nix added they are also encouraging students to vote for McCain because he will
bring much needed change to the White House.
When asked about the appeal McCain had with young voters, Nix remarked, “Young people here on campus and in general are not drawn to McCain as
they are to Obama. Obama has a rock-star persona going on, which draws in young people.”
On the other end of the spectrum, the College Democrats and the Students for Barack Obama are campaigning just as vigorously. Claire Rydell, chair of
the College Democrats and Ami El Sharief of Students for Barack Obama, are encouraging students to get to vote.
Rydell has worked for the College Democrats for almost two years and served as chair of the executive board. Ami El Sharief helped to establish Students
for Barack Obama in February 2007. Currently El Sharief chairs the group overseeing the campaigning on campus.
Both women said that the College Democrats and Students for Barack Obama are working together campaigning. The two groups also share the same goals
when it comes to increasing student awareness on campus.
“Our main goal for the College Democrats is just to get students out to vote, we don’t ask who they are voting for, only that they do so,” Rydell said. “It’s
important for students to be aware what is going on in the world around them.”
When asked about the impact of young voters, El Sharief shared Rydell’s enthusiasm. “Wisconsin has a tradition of young voters in elections,
she said. “New students are becoming aware of the need to vote to get their voices heard. Many are excited because it’s their first time voting in an election, so
we are hoping for a high voter turnout.”
While many students are wearing their McCain or their Obama gear, what attracts each student to either candidate is based on personal decisions.
“Younger people votes are more ideological and while things such as Obama’s health care may sound like a good thing, the negative effects are not so good,”
Nix commented.
El Sharief also talked about the appeal Obama have with younger people. “Young people are drawn to Obama because he truly does represent change,” El
Sharief said. “Not only does he relate to students on issues such as college expenses, but the frustration with the war in Iraq. He is able to motivate those who
have never voted to come out and be a part of something. Obama is much better at mobilizing people to get the job done.”
In the days before Election Day, the College Democrats and the Students for Barack Obama are making sure students are aware where to vote and voting
procedures.
“We don’t want anyone turned away because they are wearing an Obama pin or a McCain t-shirt. On the other hand, we don’t want anyone not to vote
because they are unsure of where to go to place a vote. We are covering all of our bases.” Rydell Commented.
For the College Republicans and the College Democrats, November 5 is only the beginning.
“We are working on making sure that more democrats are elected into office and making sure that after four years, we can perhaps get either Obama again
or another democratic President,” Rydell said.
As for the College Republicans, they will be refocusing their efforts from campaigning to grassroots to after November 5 in an effort to bring about change.
“We want to make sure that the next four years aren’t like the last eight. To that we must make sure that issues like healthcare and education are at the forefront.”
Nix said.
Both the College Republicans and the College Democrats have worked hard to increase student voter turnout on Election Day. To increase student
awareness about important issues such as healthcare, taxes, college education, will allow students to connect to a worldview and be in engage in a political
process that will affect their lives for the next four years.
Jessica Pharm is a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She can be reached at pharm@wisc.edu.
Ami El Sharief (l-r), Kathryn Nix and Claire Rydell