While some Ball State University students only knew about Election Day from people carrying campaign signs and gathering at the Scramble Light, others dedicated their day to getting voters to the polls.
Junior Dan Schuch said it is important for everyone to vote in all elections, not just the presidential elections. All votes especially count in an election like this year's when there are a lot of close races, he said.
"It's our duty as Americans to vote," Schuch said. "If you don't vote, you really don't have the right to complain about how our country's going."
A lot of students would rather sit around and complain about the government and life than do anything about it, senior Alex Morse said. However, he said he understood why some people chose not to vote.
"People have a right not to vote," he said. "Sometimes apathy is just as much of a statement."
When it comes to elections, students who want to help can call voters to remind them to vote, pass out voting and candidate information and work the polls.
Ball State students on both sides of the political spectrum demonstrated commitment to Tuesday's elections by volunteering for candidates and parties.
ALEX MORSE, PETER NELSON
Typed pages listing names and telephone numbers, an issue of the Muncie Star Press and phone books were spread out on the small kitchen table where Morse and a fellow student volunteer, junior Peter Nelson, worked.
Morse and Nelson spent their day at the home of 40th Precinct committeeman Terry Moore calling registered Democrat, Independent and swing voters to remind them to vote Democrat.
In their downtime, the students watched CNN because of the close attention it was paying to Muncie. Morse and Nelson were members of the congressional election campaign for Reverend Barry Welsh.
"We've been working together on this campaign over the summer [for an internship] and I guess, now, just for fun," Morse said.
Nelson was quick to correct Morse.
"No, [we're working] to win, I'm not playing around anymore," Nelson said.
This election was no game for Morse. If Welsh had won, Morse said he expected to work for Welsh in Washington D.C. within four months.
When Moore walked into the kitchen to deliver Morse a handwritten list of names, he happily accepted it. The list was from the poll box holder who records the names of everyone who voted, Morse said. He uses it to cross out the names of registered voters to confirm whether or not they have voted.
"If the Democrats do this all across the board, there's no reason why they won't win this election," Morse said. "It's exciting because our list [of people to call] keeps getting shorter."
Many more people would vote Democrat this time because they were unhappy with the current situation and were interested in a change, he said.
"Overall, it was a great experience," Morse said. "I learned more from it than any of my classes. I don't think there's really any substitute for it."
DAN SCHUCH
Aiding Republicans Mike Pence and Andrew Phipps' campaigns was Schuch. After his morning classes, Schuch went to the Delaware County Republicans Headquarters to help wherever he was needed.
At the headquarters, Schuch made calls from a room housing approximately 30 phones and volunteers to encourage voters to vote Republican, he said.
"It's something I believe in," Schuch said. "I want to see people in office that represent my values and beliefs."
Later Tuesday, seven other Muncie community members, including county council candidate Bryon Mercer, gathered outside of the People of Praise Community Church to make a last ditch effort to sway voters at the polling site.
The gray skies, rain and cold temperature were less than welcoming, but Schuch said he remained dedicated.
"The weather's fine with me," he said. "It's just liquid sunshine. [You] can't let a little cold weather keep you from the polls."
Schuch passed out push cards, which are card-sized advertisements, for Pence and Phipps. He stood outside for four hours handing them out, talking to voters and wishing people a nice day.
MIKE KOSTYO
Ball State alumnus Mike Kostyo, who graduated in July with a major in journalism, is in charge of public relations for Sue Errington's congressional campaign. He takes care of all of Errington's advertising media, which includes designing all of her ads and writing all of her speeches, he said.
As an intern at her office, Kostyo met Errington before she started campaigning and said he started to believe in her as a candidate.
Tuesday, Kostyo shook hands with voters at the South Side High School precinct, asking them to vote for Errington. He also waved campaign signs on the side of North Walnut Street, which runs by Muncie Central High School, he said.
After the polls closed, he went to the Democratic Headquarters to wait for the preliminary numbers and the final results that showed Errington in the lead.
"[Today] has had its ups and downs," Kostyo said. "When we got to the polls this morning, with all the problems they were having it looked bad, but now, as midnight is approaching and the results are coming in, we're feeling good."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
