The College Republicans and Democrats saw huge jumps in membership leading up to the 2004 presidential election.
“Young people are realizing how important their votes are, and a lot of excitement has come from this being some people’s first time to vote in a presidential election,” College Republicans chairman Lindsay Tew said.
The College Republicans’ membership nearly doubled since last year, going from about 450 to about 850, and more than 100 are actively involved, Tew said. People were calling to find out what they could do to support the campaign, and few mothers even called to sign their children up for the organization, she said.
College Democrat President Brandon Bogard said the Democrat membership has had a boost in membership this year too, jumping from under 200 to about 400 members. Their active group of members more than tripled from about 10 to 35 active members.
“It’s been very difficult, but we’ve been impressed with the interest from students here and the level of activity College Democrats has been able to maintain,” Bogard said.
Marty Wiseman, director of the Stennis Institute of Government, said the growth of students involved in the political arena is not simply due to the election.
Political interest in students had waned for a many years, but when 9/11 occurred, students began getting interested in politics again, he said.
“People are beginning to realize that everything the government does affects them,” Wiseman said.
The events of 9/11 opened up the opportunity for students to question what role the government should play in protecting the country from outside threats, he said.
There has been a general ground swell of students in politics on the local and national level, and more people are celebrating democracy than have in many years, he added.
nd the College Republicans were active in election activities, as well as campaigning.
The Republicans’ campaign activities began last January when several members went to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans to participate in the Bush campaign kickoff, Tew said. Their efforts elevated throughout the campaign.
Every Monday and Thursday in September and October they participated by setting up tables on campus to boost membership, providing informational pamphlets, answering questions about Bush’s political viewpoints and selling T-shirts.
The Dems held voter registration drives and set up awareness booths to inform people about John Kerry through passing out information and selling T-shirts. They also built a float for MSU’s Homecoming parade and conducted a “media blitzing” campaign.
Both groups canvassed city neighborhoods to raise awareness about their candidates and key election issues.
Last weekend members of the College Republicans walked through areas of Starkville to provide information about Bush and to get people to vote. They finished the walking campaign Monday afternoon, covering much of Starkville, Tew said.
The Democrats also participated in block walking and held two showings of the documentary “Fahrenheit 9/11,” as well as hosting several debate watch parties.
Bogard said members made trips to the battleground states of Ohio and Arkansas, and spoke at several schools around North Mississippi.
Democrats said they maintained a constant presence at the Headquarters in Starkville beginning Monday and going through Tuesday night. On Election Day, the group also had a student dressed as John Kerry walk around campus handing out information and stickers and collaborated with local churches to arrange transportation for people without a way to the polls.
College Republican members participated in poll watching and drove voters to the polls on Election Day. That night they met to watch the election coverage on television.
Tew said it was a chance for volunteers to relax after all their efforts. Some members even drove down to Jackson to attend a party at the Marriott hosted by Gov. Haley Barbour and his wife, she added.
On election night, the Stennis Montgomery Association hosted a watch party in the spirit of the democratic process, President Thomas Gregory said.
Nearly 50 students, more than they had anticipated, attended the event, Gregory said.
“The benefit of this event is that it provides an opportunity for both sides to come together in a friendly way, as MSU students, not as different parties,” Gregory said.