Campus political groups gear up for election season

The incoming freshmen from the class of 2012 are not just moving into their dorms today, they are also moving into a battleground state in the height of the general election season.

The Penn Democrats and College Republicans are planning enthusiastic welcomes for this new group of potential voters.

While the Penn Dems are continuing their traditional events, the group is also making plans specific to the election year. There will be "more emphasis on getting out and volunteering than in the past," said Lauren Burdette, president of Penn Dems.

In addition to their annual New Student Orientation meet-and-greet barbecue, the Penn Democrats will be tabling and registering voters starting today.

The group will also gather to watch Obama's acceptance speech tonight, according to Burdette.

Penn Dems will be working with the Obama campaign in their registration efforts. Burdette said it is easiest to register people in Pennsylvania, but Penn Dems will also help students obtain absentee ballots.

"We will register Republicans if they come," she said.

Penn Dems will not be doing door-to-door registration because it requires "too much man power," Burdette added.

The group will also host U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) as a speaker at their first meeting on Monday.

Penn Dems is expecting more interest in its activities because it is an election year. Burdette said many students expressed interest in the group through Campus Express .

Incoming College freshman Rosie Brown wasn't aware of any of the political events planned for NSO but said that she but would try to go to the Penn Dems barbecue. She is more likely to attend "because it is an election year," she added.

Like the Penn Dems, the College Republicans also plan to have a table and "register and educate voters" at Tuesday's organization fair, according to Zac Byer, president of the College Republicans.

Unlike the Democrats, however, the group will try some door-to-door registration, Byer said.

"We would love people to register here considering that we think this year could be even closer than 2000 and 2004," he said.

The group will also hand out literature and aims to "let people know what kind of organization we are," Byer said.

In addition, the College Republicans will be selling their new T-shirt, as well as McCain apparel, according to Byer.

While Byer said "most of our focus will be in getting McCain and others elected," the group will also organize other activities throughout the semester.

The College Republicans will be gathering in Huntsman Hall on Sept. 4 to watch McCain's acceptance speech.

There are no plans to watch the other nights of the convention together because of time conflicts with NSO, convocation and the start of classes, Byer said.

The group's first meeting is scheduled for Sept. 9.

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