College political organizations prepare first-time student voters

Many University of South Carolina students will be heading to the polls on Tuesday as first-time voters.

And many are getting campus political groups to help them prepare.

Leaders of some campus political organizations said this election is crucial. President of College Republicans Noah Lindler said his organization has worked hard to prepare its members to hit the polls this week.

“We really were able to just kind of talk through the process,” Lindler said. “Talk about, you know, what ballot questions look like, what propositions look like.”

College Democrats President Eric Center said most of the College Democrats’ members had registered to vote before the group had even had its first meeting. He said, from there, the group went about educating its members through guest speakers and discussion.

Democracy Matters, a non-partisan campus political group, hosted a debate between the College Democrats and the College Republicans on Oct. 22 to debate policies including abortion rights, gun control and immigration. 

Center said the debate was unique because the groups defended candidates’ policy stances, even if they were not in personal agreement.

“It was more having to defend our candidates in positions rather than how we personally felt, right?” Center said. “So, it was a bit difficult if some of us know which candidate we’re supporting, but don’t fully align with them on policies.”

Lindler said it was important to have a debate based on policy rather than candidate.

“It was really there to give people an informed look at (the policies of) both without a bunch of media bias,” Lindler said. “And actually just go down to the facts of both of their stances and then some of the pros and cons of each of their stances.”

Also in attendance was a new campus organization, Incubate Debate. President Alex Sandoval said the group is focused on providing non-partisan views and training students in the art of debate.

“I wanted to make sure that there was a wide variety of political affiliations represented and platformed when we are having these discussions,” Sandoval said. “So, I’ve gone out of my way to talk to basically every single politically oriented on-campus organization I can talk to.”

The College Democrats and the College Republicans have a good relationship, Center said. The groups have worked together to participate in several debates and political events. Lindler said the two groups are often placed side-by-side at student organization fairs and get a chance to talk person to person.

“It was just us sitting there chatting the whole time,” Lindler said. “While we may disagree on policy or on politics, that doesn’t mean we can’t all get along.”

Earlier this year, the College Republicans endorsed Donald Trump. College Democrats support Kamala Harris, Center said. 

Both Lindler and Center said they hope to see their candidate win at the end of the election, but most importantly, both hope that their voices are heard.

Just vote, they said.