The UTD Mercury

Issue date: 10/4/04 Section: News

Media Credit: Jay Miller Pam Palagonia (far left), a sophomore social sciences major and member of the College Republicans, solicits support for a local congressional campaign.

While most of the talk regarding the Nov. 2 elections has centered on the presidential race, two UTD organizations are making an impact on the local election scene.

The University Democrats (UD) and College Republicans (CR) are attempting to motivate college-age voters.

"It is important for young people to get involved in politics," UD president and interdisciplinary studies major Thomas Elliot said. "They are a vital part in this process."

UD was established last November, yet the organization has 30 active members and 70 members on the e-mail list.

UD sponsored a booth at summer registration, in conjunction with the Student Government Association to sponsor the Sept. 15 "Rock the Vote" and conducted a voter registration drive at the Chipotle restaurant in Richardson.

Both UD and CR have remained mostly inactive in the presidential election because of the assumption that Texas' electoral votes will go to the Bush campaign.

"We are not exactly a swing state," Elliot said.

However, UD has been working the phones for state representative candidates Harriet Miller and Katie Hubener. They are also campaigning for Civil District Court Judge candidate Carlos Cortez and U.S. Representative candidate Martin Frost.

"The University Democrats of UTD are a hard-working, smart bunch of activists," Hubener said. "Look at these students to see the future leaders of our great state."

Cortez and Hubener have made personal visits with the UD this fall.

"It was very cool that they could attend," Elliot says. "We got lots of good feedback on their visits."

"I can say that there are friendships that have been made with the UTD students and associations that will be with me long after the election," Cortez said.

When Frost visits UTD Oct. 21, UD will be given separate, additional time with the candidate.

Meanwhile, CR has reformed over the last two months. The group's first major function was "Rock the Vote," where they added 100 people to their e-mail list.

Continued...

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