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County chapter of Paint Kansas Blue, two Democratic activist groups, have created a "Baracktoberfest Pub Crawl" in which they start at opposite sides of Massachusetts Street, and hit bars between Sixth and 11th streets, registering anyone in sight to vote.
"We decided to get people registered at bars because a lot of times these are people who are interested in politics but don't know that they need to get registered or how to register," says John Cross, a KU graduate and the Douglas County Student Outreach Director for the Kansas Democratic Party. "It's really about finding people who are interested in politics and empowering them."
Dustin Hall, another KU graduate, has seen potential students and young voters have to sway elections, and has created a Facebook group urging Democrats and Republicans to register to vote.
"The first time I was able to vote was the year A Gore and President Bush were running against each other" Hall says. "I didn't know the whole registration process and by the time I figured out where I needed to be and what I needed to do I had missed the deadline already."
Hall is trying to make sure that this same thing doesn't happen to other young
voters by informing people about their options and responsibilities. But the process doesn't stop with registering or voting.
"There are so many ways for students to get involved." Cross says. "Our generation has never had such a huge opportunity to have our voices heard. It doesn't begin and end with that one vote on Nov.4."
Getting involved
The party doesn't have to end just because the debates have. Election Day is just around the corner, and what better excuse to throw a party on a Tuesday night? Invite your friends over for a rousing game of Pin the Tail on the Donkey, or, if you prefer, Pin the Lipstick on the Pit bull. Ask guests to dress as political figures and award the best costume with an I.O.U. of some kind—courtesy of our failing economy. Look for more theme, decoration and game ideas on Web sites like shindigzparty wordpress.com.
You can also get involved with the election by volunteering at polling sites in Douglas County. Students interested can check out Web sites for the Kansas Republican and Democratic parties online at www.ksgop.org or wwwksdp.org for more information.
October 23,2008
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