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Campus political organizations prepare for presidential election

Austin Paul and Desirrae Jones, the presidents of the Young Republicans and Young Democrats, respectively, come together in a show of bipartisanship.
Austin Paul and Desirrae Jones, the presidents of the Young Republicans and Young Democrats, respectively, come together in a show of bipartisanship.

As the presidential election gets closer, both the Mercer Young Democrats and Mercer College Republicans are promoting their parties on Mercer’s campus.

Both the student organizations have a greater opportunity to share their political views on campus since it’s a presidential election year.

Voting is important because it gives individual citizens the ability to peacefully have a say in their government,” said College Republicans President Austin Paul.

This is the Young Democrats’ first year as an active organization on campus, and they are collaborating with the Mercer Law Democrats.

“I think that students that align more with our ideologies need a place to be able to have open dialogue and I am glad to really just give them a place to feel comfortable doing that,” said Young Democrats President Desirrae Jones.

The Mercer Young Democrats have meetings every other week where they discuss issues leading up to the election.

Some people come to our meetings with no real political knowledge and leave more informed. At this point in the cycle, that is all we can really do,” Jones said.

Their goal is to spread the message and ideas of their party.

Some of their members are volunteering with the Democratic Party of Georgia. Other Young Democrat students are working on ballot initiatives.

The College Republicans are also promoting their party on campus by holding meetings and events that promote republican candidates and ideas.

They have members who volunteer on Republican campaigns.

“We believe that voting is one of the most important things a citizen can do,” Paul said.

To support their party, Paul also said they promote electing other Republicans who are running for other offices on the ballot.

They are collaborating with the Georgia Association of College Republicans to elect Senator Johnny Isakson.

Paul said they are working to see what else the organization can do to promote the election leading up to Nov. 8.

Both the Mercer College Republicans and Mercer Young Democrats encourage students to vote by posting articles and information on their Facebook page.

Jones believes that the only way for people to have their opinion heard is by voicing it through the voting process.

By not voting, you're saying that you don't care. And you should. No matter how you feel about it, this is your country and you actually have a say in how it is run,” Jones said. “Do not throw that away.”

Both organizations are supporting Mobilize Mercer, which is an organization on campus that encourages students to vote.

“We encourage all students to vote regardless of political affiliation,” Paul said.

Mobilize Mercer’s debate watch parties provide students an opportunity to get involved in the election regardless of student’s political affiliations.

Jones said Mobilize Mercer makes students feel more comfortable attending watch parties since they are non-partisan.

“Our elected officials on every level make decisions that affect us every single day. Voting allows us to help shape those decisions,” Paul said.

The general election will take place Nov. 8.


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