On the evening prior to election Tuesday, political groups around campus rallied to make a last-ditch effort to gain support for their candidates before the polls opened this morning.
Fair Wisconsin, a group opposed to the gay marriage ban, used automated voice messages from ""West Wing"" actor Bradley Whitford and Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis, to reach voters and increase awareness for Fair Wisconsin's campaign. The group plans to knock on doors and make last-minute phone calls until the polls close to draw out as much voter support as possible.
Likewise, though the UW-Madison College Republicans have been less visible in campus recruiting, the group is campaigning for Republican candidates through individual efforts instead of an organized group event, according to UW-Madison sophomore and College Republican Sara Mikolajczak.
UW College Republicans made phone calls Monday night and will continue their support by poll-watching today for gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Green Bay, attourney general candidate JB Von Hollen and Dave Magnum, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison.
Spokesperson for Students for a Fair Wisconsin and UW-Madison senior Rachel Strauch-Nelson said, ""Young people and college students are especially passionate about defeating this amendment. There is a really high percentage of young people that are against the referendum and really want to beat it, and they are working hard to do so.""
Higher student participation is expected due to the gay marriage referendum. State Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, said, ""Typically, young people are least likely to vote but most [are] Democratic.""
Black said he expects students and young people on campus to vote ""no"" on the initiative.
State Elections Board member Kyle Richmond attributed the expected increase in voter turnout to the interest surrounding this year's election. Richmond said, ""General interest seems to be peaked this year probably more than normal due to two hot statewide races and two referenda.""
UW College Democrats have been active on campus, making sure every student votes in the election.
""Our goal right now is the highest voter turnout on campus ever in a midterm election,"" said UW-Madison junior Eli Lewien, chair of the UW-Madison College Democrats.
College Democrats prepared for Election Day with major events around campus, including guest speakers and midnight rallies.
Regardless of differing political stances, all groups agreed students should vote Nov. 7.
""I think students in general should go and get educated on all the candidates whether they are Democrats or Republicans and get the facts and vote, not necessarily all in party lines, but vote for who they feel would do the best job representing them,"" Mikolajczak said.
