SEARCY, Ark. — It’s no secret that excitement about the upcoming presidential election is brewing among college-age voters on campuses across the nation. Terms such as Facebook, YouTube and texting are commonplace when it comes to politics, thanks to their proliferation and constant appearance in the news.
Harding University is no different. Here election-savvy students are fans of candidates on Facebook, members of campus political groups, and bloggers about “the issues.”
Many students consult a variety of Internet sources for political news. Freshman Brandon Ragsdale, a music major from Searcy, gets firsthand information from individual candidates’ Web sites.
“I think information can be biased on TV, which is where a lot of people get their news,” said Ragsdale. “I prefer to go straight to the source.”
Facebook groups provide an easy way for campus groups to organize. Harding’s network is home to politically minded groups Bisons for Obama, College Republicans, College Democrats and the Roosevelt Institution. These groups have hosted events such as primary information sessions and “watch parties,” gathering to monitor Super Tuesday results.
Freshman Jane Messina, a political science and history major from Huntsville, Ala., is involved in Sen. Obama’s campaign both in and out of cyberspace. She has a banner on her dorm door and registered to receive campaign updates from Obama’s Web site. She appreciates the grassroots tactics candidates are using to make supporters feel involved.
“Every once in a while I’ll get a text message from the Web site,” she said. “It’s exciting to see that I’ve got a message from Michelle Obama.”
Senior Blake Harris from Decatur, Ala., a transfer student from Auburn University, became involved in College Republicans, eventually serving as state chairman of Alabama’s branch of the organization in 2006.
Now he volunteers as national youth coordinator for McCain’s presidential campaign, while simultaneously finishing his last semester as a political science/prelaw major at Harding. His job is to help set up state and chapter organizations in support of McCain on college campuses, which will be crucial nearer election time.
“We’re about building grassroots support and creating real excitement about the candidate at universities nationwide,” he said.
Harris and a host of other students agree that November 2008 will be the most important presidential election of their lifetime. Issues such as health care policy, the economy and the war in Iraq seem to be atop everyone’s list of important topics.
Junior political science major David Manes of Pittsburg, Pa., believes social media give students a sense of power and involvement to affect those issues. A year ago Manes and three classmates started “Political Cartel” an “ideological roundtable” blog where any reader can leave comments about issues discussed on the site.
“Oftentimes young people feel they’re at the mercy of those older than themselves to make decisions,” Manes said. “This generation is realizing that they actually can participate, namely by voting.”
Lori Klein, instructor of political science and public administration at Harding, said in past elections, the youth vote has been undependable. However, she appreciates the excitement she does see among first-time voters in her classes.
“One of my goals is to help students realize that thy can make a difference by voting,” said Klein. “I want them to be excited to get that ballot for the first time.”
“Political Cartel” writer Karie Cross, a senior English and political science major from Greenbrier, Ark., believes there will be a record turnout among youth at the polls in November.
“Young people’s impact on this election has already been reported on so often, and the more they hear about it, the more likely they’ll get involved,” she said. “For the first time, some of them are feeling that their vote really does count.”
Dr. Mark Elrod, assistant professor of political science at Harding, took his freshman son, Alan, and Ragsdale, both first-time voters, to Arkansas’ Feb. 5 primary. He said poll volunteers actually cheered and clapped for the boys when they had finished casting their ballot.
“It was one of the coolest things I’ve done in a long time,” said Elrod. “These kids aren’t voting just because their civics teacher told them to, but because there is a candidate they’re really excited about.”
For more information, contact:
April M. Fatula
Director of News Services
(501) 279-4398
afatula@harding.edu
