They canvass. They make phone calls. They wear campaign T-shirts with pride.

They are the College Republicans and College Democrats, and they want the youth voice to be heard when Nov. 4 rolls around.

To maximize their influence on the 2008 election, the College Republicans and College Democrats have planned a variety of events, speakers and other opportunities for Creighton students to participate in the political process, ranging from registering new voters to volunteering for national and local campaigns.

The Democrats are working on campaigns, including Barack Obama for President, Jim Esch for Congress, Scott Kleeb for Senate and Jeremy Nordquist for Nebraska District 7 Legislature.

“We’re doing a lot of campaign work that’ll be exciting, and of course we’re doing a lot of stuff for Obama – door-knocking, canvassing, phone calls – whatever the campaign needs us to do,” said Brian Martens, Arts & Sciences senior and College Democrats president.

The Republicans are involved with the McCain presidential campaign, as well as Lee Terry for Congress and Mike Johanns for Senate, said College Republicans President Katy Spratte, Arts & Sciences junior.

“We’re going phone-banking within the next few weeks for the three major campaigns in the area,” Spratte said. “We actually have walking events with the Johanns campaign, and we distribute campaign literature.”

But more than just supporting their respective candidates, Martens and Spratte said they want to help Creighton students get involved.

“Especially in Nebraska, I think our big push is going to be for getting people registered to vote and getting them absentee ballots,” Martens said.

The Creighton Students Union is heading voter registration.

Spratte said it’s important to make sure everyone is involved and votes, regardless of which party they support.

“The 18 to 24-year-olds are really stepping up this election. The candidates know how important we are this time. They’re really catering to us, and I think that’s just amazing because traditionally we’ve been ignored,” Spratte said.

“It’s really nice that we have our own sector that really matters now.”

The first round of voter registration will be on Sept. 24 on the Skinner Mall, Martens said.

If students can’t make it to registration, they can still register to vote at www.rockthevote.org as part of “Rock the Vote,” Spratte said.

“In this national election, as never before, our generation is taking a deep interest and getting very involved in the political process,” CSU President Micah White, Arts & Sciences senior, said in her presidential update.

“As Creighton students, we understand the importance of civic engagement and responsibility to one’s community. Therefore, the Creighton Students Union is putting its full efforts into bringing this political process to campus.”

CSU will be hosting one of the three debates between Republican Congressman Lee Terry and Democratic nominee Jim Esch at 8 p.m. on Oct. 7 in the Harper Center Ballroom. Both the College Democrats and the College Republicans will attend.

CSU is also hosting a speech by Democratic senatorial candidate Scott Kleeb at 7 p.m. on Sept. 29 in the Hixson-Lied Auditorium.

Kleeb will speak about who he is, his political platform, what policies he supports and what issues he thinks are important in his district.

“This will be one of [Kleeb’s] big speeches in the Omaha area, so we’re hoping for a lot of students, a lot of faculty, a lot of staff, as well as a lot of the Omaha community to come out and support our candidate and hear what he has to say,” Martens said.

CSU has been in contact with Republican senatorial candidate Mike Johanns’s campaign and is trying to get him to speak at Creighton as well, Spratte said.

Martens and Spratte said they were excited about this year’s student interest and participation in College Democrats and College Republicans.

“Typically, since it’s election year, there’s going to be a lot more involvement because people are more excited about having stuff to do and trying to get more involved,” Martens said. “It’s going to be big.”

About 85 people attended the College Democrats’ first meeting on Sept. 15, and Spratte said she is expecting a good turnout at the College Republicans’ informational meeting on Tuesday.

“We have a few zealous freshman that have actually already looked me up and contacted me, so it’ll be a good year,” she said. “Since this election’s so important – it’s such a big one – I think that awareness is probably up, so hopefully it’ll work out in our favor.”

In addition to the campaigns in the Omaha area, both the Democrats and Republicans are planning to volunteer in Western Iowa because Iowa is a swing state.

“Iowa’s Fifth District is right across the river in Council Bluffs, and they have a really good chance of getting a Democrat elected,” Martens said. “So we’ll also be doing some campaign work in Iowa.”

“Traditionally we’ve helped a lot in Pottawattamie County,” Spratte said. “I think we’ll probably be doing volunteer work for them as well.”

Check www.creightonian.com for more information about events sponsored by the College Democrats and the College Republicans.