Emphasizing the Power of Each Vote Election year is a busy one for the College Republicans Campaign 2000 will definitely go down into the history books as one of the most important in recent history, and the College Republicans worked hard for a victory. From helping candidates to registering new voters, the College Republicans were worked to make.a difference in their community. While campaigning for candidates, College Republicans gained valuable experience and leadership skills. "I've enjoyed my position of leadership in College Republicans," junior Liza Freeman said. "It has allowed me to work on campaigns and help others exercise one of their most precious freedoms, the right to vote." Senior Jamie Hutches, chairman of the organization, focused his efforts on student voting. "Many people have fought long and hard for the right to vote and then generations later, we have some of the lowest voter turnout rates in history," he said. "That makes me sad and [wanted to do something about it." With that charge in mind, the College Republicans held a week-long voter registration drive to register students to vote in Arkansas and to acquire absentee ballots for those students who wished to have their votes counted in their home states. "Sometimes the voter registration process is intimidating to new voters, and we were there to help them fill out what they needed to fill out and get forms where they needed togo so that everyone would be able to cast their vote on election day," junior Mandy Killian, first vice-chairman of the group, said. College Republicans concentrated on making students aware of their duties as citizens and emphasizing the importance of casting each vote. "[ hope that everyone in this nation realizes how close this 2000 presidential election was and that this will motivate people to make 'the will of the people' known by voting," sophomore Angela Gardner said. The College Republicans continued to work hard to ensure that college students will have a voice in the running of the nation. Their sole hope was that students would become more involved in the nation and make voting a lifelong habit. - Jamie Hutches Senior Jamie Hutches, president of the College Republicans, shows a newly designed t-shirt to the rest of the members. The club existed to develop all Republicans on campus into an intelligent, aggressive, cooperative and informative Republican group. The group's on·campus activity also tried to promote larger voter turnout among Harding students for the 2000 Bush vs. Gore presidential election. Photo by Daniel Dubois. College Republicans/Students for Life 198 ~--~--~------~--~--~~- Organizations
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