The Nevada Sagebrush

Say “caucus” around some University of Nevada, Reno students and they’ll respond with blank stares, shrugged shoulders and some “I don’t knows.”“The first thing that came to my mind was cock-fighting,” said Kendall Barrett, a 21-year old health ecology major. “I know I’ve heard of it, but I just have no idea what it is.”

As the 2008 Nevada caucuses approach, two UNR clubs – the Young Democrats and the College Republicans – look to change this lack of political awareness and educate students about the importance of caucus participation.

State caucuses are conventions where party members meet to discuss important issues, support individual candidates and nominate candidates for president.

Methods to increase involvement among students have been studied, trying to find the most effective to reach young voters.

According to the study “Young Voter Strategies” from the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University, canvassing with flyers or talking to target voters in person can increase youth turnout by 7 to 10 percent.

Both are key strategies for the Young Democrats and College Republicans.

Rachel Miller, UNR Young Democrats president, plans on talking with students more, feeling the necessity as both the Nevada Democratic and Republican caucuses have been scheduled for Jan. 19.

The Nevada Caucuses are second behind Iowa.

“A student turnout for the caucus is one of our biggest goals this year,” Miller said. “We want to keep students involved and aware of what is going on in the election as it is such a big year for Nevada.”

Jordan C. Butler, a 21-year-old political science major, plans to attend his first caucus this year and considers awareness essential for the student voting population, especially with the prominence Nevada has in this election.

“Young voters should recognize that Nevada is going to be influential in this election,” Butler said. “It is one of the first caucuses, which means whoever gets the nomination in Nevada will have a strong lead in other caucuses and primaries throughout the entire country.”

To encourage students to participate once the January caucus arrives, the Young Democrats are planning several events, including a mock caucus, or “mockus,” on Oct. 25 on campus.

Fashioned in the style of an actual caucus, the “mockus” will allow students to experience the process of a caucus, which Miller said she hopes will dismiss any fears or doubts concerning the official process.

Miller said Jill Derby, chairwoman of the Nevada State Democratic Party, and Nevada Assemblyman David Bobzien, D-Reno, will be speaking and helping out at the mockus.

Jason Fromoltz, president of the Young Democrats state chapter, said students can expect more of these events as part of the statewide launched plan, “Wanna Caucus.”

This plan is designed to inform and educate students about the January caucus and will provide ways to get involved with the election effort. Opportunities like attending youth delegate conventions and actually running precinct meetings will be offered.

“With ‘Wanna Caucus’ the Young Democrats will be able to get the word out and students will realize that they do have an effect on the caucus and election,” Fromoltz said.

Similarly, the College Republicans are preparing for the upcoming caucus. Club members recently attended training workshops and mock caucuses earlier in the school year. This type of experience was necessary in order to inform the rest of the student body of the caucus procedure, said Samantha Guttry, UNR College Republicans president.

“I consider myself a very politically conscious person but it never hurts to gather more information,” Guttry said. “We had to educate ourselves before we could educate others.”

Matt Welborn, chairman of the College Republicans State Chapter, wants to continue this political momentum and establish an on-campus political presence.

“Your government tells you what you can and cannot do, so it’s important for students to realize that they can be a part of that,” Welborn said. “We want to let students know why there is a caucus, what you can do at it, and for most people, just what the word means.”