Senior Kristin Kuhns has never done it before.
But on Election Day, she will stand in the University ChristianChurch on Nebo Road, working the polls.
"I'd like to look back on this year's election and know that Idefinitely did my part," Kuhns said.
She isn't the only one.
An increasing number of students are getting involved in theelection this year, Joseph Losco, chairman of the political sciencedepartment, said.
"This year there has been a sizable increase," Losco said. "Thepolitical science department itself was able to place about 20student poll workers from both parties."
Kuhns said when she applied to be a poll worker this yearthrough the political science department, the department submittedher name to Dennis Tyler, the chairman of the Democratic Party inDelaware County. Democratic headquarters contacted her inmid-October to let her know where she would work on Election Day,she said.
Kuhns is glad she and fellow students will help to play asignificant part in the political process by helping peoplethroughout the local community to cast their votes on Nov. 2, shesaid.
"I'm sure many people think most college students are apatheticabout voting," Kuhns said. "Hopefully having students as pollworkers will change that."
Tyler said in addition to working the polls, more students areplaying an active role in the political process by going into theheadquarters and volunteering to help make phone calls, he said.The phone calls target people in the community who traditionallyvote independent or who have not displayed interest in voting forthe Democratic or the Republican parties in the past, he said.
One of the biggest ways students have involved themselves in theelection this year, however, is by simply taking the time to vote,Tyler said.
"In the heart of the Ball State community and in surroundingprecincts, we showed almost an increase in 1,200 voters, andabsentee voting is even more than that," Tyler said. "I've been inthis business for 30 years, and I've seen more young men and womeninterested in this election than I can ever remember."
Senior Chris Adamo, president of the Ball State UniversityCollege Republicans, said the College Republicans has especiallyseen a significant increase in student interest and involvementthis year. Its membership base has risen from 18 last year to 123so far this year, and new members come in every day, he said.
"Some of it is probably because of this particular electionyear," Adamo said. "The biggest thing is getting to know people whoare like-minded on campus, especially people of your own age. It'sa great way to make political connections for the future as well asjust make friends."
Adamo said he helped to re-found the College Republicans lastfall so it would be able to support candidates who are campaigningfor elections at the local, state and federal levels.
To promote student voting this year, the College Republicans hada voter registration drive in late September during which studentscould receive free Carter's hot dogs and pick up absentee ballotforms, Adamo said.
"Decisions that are made in government today will affect peoplefor the rest of their lives, so they should vote regardless of whattheir political beliefs are," Adamo said. "It's always importantfor their opinions and ideas to be represented."
Sophomore Jacob Clere, president of the University Democrats,said like the College Republicans, the University Democrats hasseen its own significant increase in membership this year. Lastyear, he and a few other students were members of the group, whichpractically died last semester, he said. Since Clere helped tore-establish the group this year, he is pleased that its typicalmembership ranges from 20 to 30 people, and its largest turnout hasincluded as many as 65 people, he said.
Like the College Republicans, the University Democrats held avoter registration drive this semester during which more than 300students registered to vote and submitted absentee ballotapplications, Clere said.
Losco said political interest overall has increased this yearbecause of the extreme division that exists in public opinionregarding key issues such as the effects of the war in Iraq. Memoryof the 2000 presidential race between candidates George W. Bush andAl Gore has also played a key role, he said.
Losco said he was pleased more students are deciding toparticipate in the political process this year. Through voting,interacting with political party organizations on campus and evenworking the polls, students involve themselves better in theelection, which will benefit them for life, he said.
"Democracy depends on the engagement of its citizens. Theearlier young people form the habit of getting involved inpolitics, the more likely it is they will be active citizens asadults," Losco said.
Clere said encouraging even more students to get involved inelection this year would ultimately have a powerful effect on theuniversity and the local community as a whole.
"Ball State has some 18,000 people. Muncie has close to 70,000.So Ball State is a big chuck of the local population," Clere said."If all Ball State students voted, it could completely throw anyelection in Muncie. Getting involved in politics around thecommunity helps connect students with the community and helps us tounderstand each other better."
Tyler said he was especially excited about the increase instudent involvement this year and said he hopes it continues to bethe trend throughout subsequent years.
"It tickles me to death to see younger and younger people getinvolved. They bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm," Tyler said."I think it's wonderful. They're our future."
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