"It's important because nobody in politics is going to stand up for what you believe in unless you're out there fighting for what you believe in," Bouwhuis said.

He became more involved with College Democrats his sophomore year.

"My sophomore year I got involved with the mid-term elections. That really hooked me in," he said.

College Democrats worked with Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama's headquarters in Mount Pleasant and Students for Barack Obama to register people to vote.

"The youth vote makes up a strong part of Barack Obama's base," said Matthew Sous, president of Students for Barack Obama.

The Freeland senior is hoping for a big turnout in the election. The group registered students to vote in Mount Pleasant so they don't need an absentee ballot or need to go home to vote.

College Republicans has done its own voter registration drives and set up phone banks to call registered voters.

Mount Pleasant senior Bret Krabill has been highly involved as a member. He was a delegate to the Republican state convention. Krabill met former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Republican presidential candidate John McCain at a convention on Mackinac Island.

Krabill hopes more people will be motivated by the opportunities he has had to make a difference and meet some influential people.

"If we come out in large numbers, then maybe politicians will pay attention to our concerns," he said.

Sous believes students should register in Mount Pleasant because they spend most of their time here and are affected by local laws.

Bouwhuis is looking forward to partnering with the Isabella County Democratic Party - knocking on doors, making phone calls and putting up signs.

Bouwhuis said the College Democrats really want to "get out the vote" on Election Day.

What Bouwhuis is really excited about is the enthusiasm of other students on campus. Sixty people showed up for the first College Democrats meeting of the year. Many students he meets are excited about voting.

Campus Conservatives' mission is to support conservatism or conservative viewpoints.

"The group doesn't endorse any candidates or anything like that. Members are encouraged to have their own thoughts and ideas and people that they like," said Campus Conservatives president Chase Canning.

The Lambertville junior thinks most members support McCain, but the group doesn't support a specific candidate.

Campus Conservatives promote political involvement through rallies to support the troops, economic forums and speakers. The economy is a key issue in the presidential election, especially in Michigan.

Canning became involved with Campus Conservatives as a freshman through word of mouth. He also did some campaigning for 2006 Republican Michigan gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos and some other local candidates.

Canning's brother was involved with College Republicans while he was at CMU. Canning believes in order to be successful, people have to be organized and have a mission. They have to believe they can effect change in their communities, he said.

"Political involvement by the people is important for the progress of the nation," said Wyoming sophomore John Klumpp, a member of Campus Conservatives. "Politics are so important because we are a government by the people, for the people and of the people. When people lose interest, the government suffers."

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