With the 2016 presidential election dominating the news, politics and possible candidates are beginning to take over everyone’s minds. With a majority of the senior class and some of the junior class eligible, this will be many students’ first time exercising their right to vote. Political organizations at MSMS are keeping this in mind as well.

The Young Democrats held a voter drive on Jan. 13 that helped many students take the first step to becoming a participating citizen. Along with the drive, the Young Democrats has hosted several of the presidential candidates debate viewings as well the State of the Union Address.

Meanwhile, the Young Independents plan on inviting a political scientist t0 come to campus and talk to students about the election, candidates and politics in general.

No matter how different their politics, leaders in all three political clubs share similar sentiments on getting students out to vote. Young Republican officer Achintya Prasad said, “Voting is the most powerful tool the people have. We can use it to change our entire government, and make things more fair for all of us. It allows us to improve the nation. That alone, the interest in picking the best leaders, should be reason enough for anyone to vote.”

On the other end of the political spectrum is Young Democrats officer Braeden Foldenauer; but, he seems to share a similar sentiment to Prasad: “Voting gives you a voice. Everywhere people are discussing this election as it’s almost historic with the character bashing and seeming revolutions on both sides. But as much as we cheer on our candidates or bash the others, voting is the only way we’re going to see our hero get in office.”

Even Landry Filce, a student too young to vote, stresses the importance of going to the polls and said, “I don’t think enough young people vote. It’s really important to be politically active so that you influence the country to be a good place to live.”

For students interested in voting but unable to attend the Young Democrats voters registration drive, Foldenauer points out that USA.gov offers various ways to register. He said, “You can generally print off a registration form and then just mail it to the office of your local county circuit clerk.”

Young Republican member Christopher Slagell also said,”Everybody has one vote, and that one vote matters a lot.”