As the Feb. 10 Virginia primary approaches, candidates may find increased interest among young voters, according to a recent survey that indicates political awareness among college students is at its highest level since 1994.
Conducted by UCLA's Higher Education Research Institute, the survey found that 33.9 percent of students agreed that "keeping up to date with political affairs" is a very important or essential life goal. This is a 1 percent raise from last year and a significant increase from 2000's record low of 28.1 percent. The study surveyed 276,449 first-year students at 413 colleges and universities.
At the University, a variety of student groups and individuals have been preparing for the elections.
"I think people are interested this year," said Sean Moynahan, a member of Hoos for Wesley Clark. "Some people are not happy with the administration and want to see a change."
Hoos for Clark is one of the many candidate support groups that have developed around Grounds this school year. Moynahan said his group plans to "do phone banking" and gear their message toward students who are still undecided.
The University Democrats has been involved in a variety of different election efforts, such as campaigning in New Hampshire last weekend and registering voters at the beginning of the school year.
"We were really successful at our first meeting this year," said Dave Wasserman, University Democrats campaign and party coordinator and founder of Hoos for Howard Dean. Wasserman added that University Democrats have fostered an atmosphere of "cheerful camaraderie," as members concentrate on supporting the candidates of their choice.
"We anticipate as it gets closer to a very competitive race and political year, political involvement in the general election will be on the rise," Wasserman said.
Other students said they are less informed about the upcoming primary but interested in the presidential election.
"For this upcoming election I've definitely become more interested in the issues," fourth-year College student Celine Clark said. "I would like to vote in the primary, but as an out-of-state student, I'm uniformed as to how it works. I probably represent a good majority of students here."
The UCLA survey also showed an increase in students who identify themselves as conservative, up to 21.1 percent versus last year's 20 percent. Students identifying themselves as liberal decreased to 24.2 percent, compared to last year's 25.3 percent, while close to half of respondents said their views were politically moderate.
"Dennis Miller called it the 'common sense revolution,'" College Republicans Vice-Chair Ali Ahmad said. "Students are swinging to the right from where their professors and parents stand on issues."
Ahmad added that membership of the College Republicans has increased steadily in the past three years.
Moynahan said it is uncertain whether turnout will be similar to previous years.
"Our generation may not turn out to be any different from the past, but we'll see," he said.
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