With both final exams and an upcoming Delaware County Commissioner election to prepare for, graduate student John Dolon's plate will be a little fuller this weekend.
"It's been kind of difficult lately," Dolon said. "The finals kind of coincide with the election, so I'm just trying to do what I can."
The 30-year-old counseling psychology major, who is also a Democrat and the youngest candidate in the race, will vie for votes during Tuesday's primary election with three other Democrats: James St. Myer, current incumbent county commissioner president; County Council President Todd Donati; and Tracy Barton, County Council member.
"I'm the only one that is not a part of the political process," Dolon said. "I don't believe they're going to bring about change; they're already tied to the system. If you look at their track records, there has been no change."
And that's what made him want to get involved in February and kept him campaigning door-to-door for the past three months.
"I can stand around and complain about the way things are, or I can try to change things," he said.
Dolon said none of the other Delaware County Commissioner candidates have come out about their issues, but he believes issues are the most important part of the race.
One of the biggest issues in the county right now is the lack of jobs and the resulting brain drain, he said. Since Ball State is one of the top 10 communication schools in the country, Dolon said the program should be utilized more locally.
"I don't think a lot of people realize the Ball State community is a big part of the Muncie community," he said. "Ball State is a major part, and I'd like to see a lot of students stick around here. We should have new communication businesses and more media here."
Dolon said he would work to help Muncie reach out to the Ball State community, as his focus is to get students more involved in the area.
The main way the Muncie community can also help to attract jobs is just by doing their part, which includes creating a decent tax structure, improving the infrastructure and fixing the roads, he said.
Dolon, who attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles shortly after graduating from Burris High School, would like to also see more diversity in Muncie.
"Right now, the community needs to come together -- people of different races, genders and religions," he said. "Coming from L.A., we need to celebrate diversity."
In preparation for Tuesday's primary election, Dolon said he has attended a couple of candidate forums, and he also paid for all of his yard signs and for his Web site, www.johndolon.com. A friend in California designed and printed his fliers and cards, he said.
"This is pretty much a grassroots campaign," Dolon said. With fewer financial resources than the other candidates have, he said he is primarily going door-to-door to get his name out to the public.
Dr. Ronald Dolon, Ball State social work professor and Dolon's father, said he and his wife, Johnetta Dolon, have been working hard to support their son.
"He's got next to nothing in the campaign, and other people have $5,000 to $10,000," he said. "And the other people have been in the political arena before, while this is John's first attempt."
Johnetta Dolon said they've walked several miles to help their son during the campaign. He has always been interested in what is fair and just, she said.
"I think he's the best candidate for the job," she said. "I know that his motives are true. He cares about people. It's not about his self-interest; it's about what he can give back to this community."
John Dolon's wife, Michelle Dolon, said she hopes this campaign teaches Ball State students how to fight for what is right and how to be confident in themselves.
"Nothing's going to change unless you stand up and fight for it," she said. "We all have to make a difference, and that's what John does."
Dolon would like Ball State students to become more active in the political process by voting Tuesday. After all, most students live in Muncie nine months out of the year, he said.
"My goal is to win here, but I definitely hope this inspires more locals to get involved in the process," Dolon said. "The local political process is almost as important as the presidential race because it affects the roads you drive, the local economy (and) pretty much every part of your daily life."
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