Some students will vote Tuesday and be glad it’s over with, but others, like second-year political science student Brett Harris, won’t know what to do with themselves come Wednesday.
Many members of the College Democrats and College Republicans have spent the last weeks — and for some, months or years — volunteering in election-related efforts in an attempt to balance school and political interests.
Harris, a member of the College Republicans, has worked on three campaigns over the last year and volunteered with the South Carolina GOP.
“I believe in our cause,” Harris said. “It really is influential in terms of the rule of law and in the course our state and our country is taking.”
First-year political science student and College Republicans member Hannah Cornwell grew up in a political family with several relatives who ran for office, so for her, campaigning came naturally.
“I [campaigned] a lot as a child, so it’s something that kind of stuck,” Cornwell said. “I think it’s very important to get young people involved.”
Many of the students from these clubs are extremely passionate about certain issues, and their volunteering revolves around it. Maxine Todd, a third-year political science and women and gender studies student and member of College Democrats, said she will do “whatever it takes” to support reproductive rights and women’s rights.
“I wanted to get involved in something, and obviously, helping out the policies I’m in line with is important to me,” said Chad Allen, a first-year economics student and member of College Democrats. “Being passionate about something makes it really easy to help out.”
According to Harris, the work can be stressful and demanding, and students aren’t paid for their efforts. But many believe their contributions are rewarding and find themselves volunteering again and again.
“I’ve missed a few games I definitely wish I could have seen,” Allen said, “but I think it’s worth it.”
Several of these students consider it a civic responsibility to not only vote, but also encourage other people to vote.
“I’ve learned that more people care about politics than you realize and there are more people involved,” said Grace Kerley, third-year public relations student and chairman of the College Republicans. “There’s a lot more work to be done, and I’ve realized that through my years at my USC and my time working at campaigns … It’s our job, not just as Republicans but as Americans, to make sure that they’re involved.”
And even when the reactions weren’t completely positive, the experiences were still encouraging.
“Even when they are reacting negatively, they often are glad to see young people getting involved,” Todd said.
Harris also found volunteering an opportunity to get to know the candidates and see that they are more relatable than many people believe and said getting to know these political personas on a personal level was his favorite part of helping out.
Though many other students aren’t as involved as members of these political organizations, those who elect to volunteer hope their peers will go to the polls and realize the importance of these elections.
“Not voting doesn’t mean the decisions politicians that go to office make don’t affect you,” said Mathieu Erramuzpe, a third-year international business and finance student and president of College Democrats. “Whether you vote or not, their actions, the different policies are going to have an impact on you.”
But for many students their efforts don’t end on Tuesday with the election.
“I’ve definitely learned that it’s something I want to do with my life,” Cornwell said. “You always have that one thing you look forward to doing and it doesn’t feel like a job.”