The Ball State Daily News Online

Section: NEWS
Originally published: 9/5/08 at 1:02 AM EST
Last update: 9/6/08 at 1:28 AM EST

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As the minutes dwindled to John McCain's acceptance speech Thursday night, the discussion throughout Park Hall's multipurpose room ignored the analysis on CNN.

In fact, the murmur soon transcended it.

More than 20 people throughout the room debated policy, rhetoric and politics. A room that was filled with Ball State University Republicans, Moderates and Democrats grouped themselves within the four rows of chairs as their focus on the pull-down screen increased the more the time depleted.

In this room college students, often thought of as apathetic to politics, were informed and excited.

However, at a campus with more than 19,000 students, according to the Ball State Fact Book, less than one-tenth of one percent watched the Republican National Convention coverage at Park Hall. The same number of people showed up at Park Hall to see Barack Obama accept the Democratic nomination last week.

And, as junior Glenn Pratt said, the apathy on Ball State campus continues. It is something that can only be cured through being informed, he said.

"Most college students aren't partisan, they are moderate," Pratt, who is a moderate, said. "They haven't dealt with the issues much, and if they would become more informed, they could make a decision on what side to pick."

Ball State Republicans and Democrats are active on campus registering people to vote. One member of the Campus Republicans said the group registered 65 voters and 80 absentee ballots in four hours at the Scramble Light. A number he said was low compared to other universities.

"Ball State is more apathetic than most schools, and I don't know why," Mike Uehlein, president of Ball State Democrats and who was not at the McCain watch party, said.

As 2008 becomes more focused on the youth vote between parties, the Office of Student Life has been working with the campus political parties to encourage bipartisanship on campus.

Upcoming events include Democracy Day on Sept. 17, a bipartisan memorial service on Sept. 11 and Red vs. Blue day in October. The events will encourage undecided Ball State voters to get involved politically, and that's something both sides want, Uehlein said.

Senior political science major Kristin Roose said no matter what happened on campus, students need to get more informed.

"How many students seek knowledge outside John Stewart and Steven Colbert," Roose said. "Eighteen to 25 year olds is the largest bracket that doesn't vote. We need to ask ourselves how prepared is the average student on what's going on?"

With both campus watch parties plagued by bad timing, Uehlein said it's hard to judge apathy on campus by their attendance.

However, with both conventions now over and the campaign season officially started, Uehlein said both sides agree the youth vote needs to step up.

"I think students will become more interested the more politicians speak about issues pertaining to them," Uehlein said. "Students just need to get involved. It doesn't mater what side you join; both sides need activists."

Voter registration
You may register to vote in the primary election if:

• You are 18 years old by the time of the next general election.
• You will have been a resident of your precinct for 30 days before the election.

Voting locations
To locate your polling place in Indiana, go to indianavoters.com/PublicSite/PublicMain.aspx.

Absentee ballot
To obtain an Indiana absentee ballot, go to in.gov/sos/pdfs/abs-1.pdf.

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