Democrats and Republicans on Kent State’s campus have found something to agree on: the significance of the upcoming midterm elections.

“This is a really important year with the midterm elections,” said Kelly Stellrecht, president of College Democrats. “We’re supporting the Democratic candidates by volunteering and really just getting ready for Nov. 7.”

Both groups are supporting Ohio gubernatorial and senatorial candidates through volunteering.

Stellrecht said College Democrats is working closely with the campaigns of gubernatorial candidate Congressman Ted Strickland and senatorial candidate Congressman Sherrod Brown.

“Sherrod Brown is doing a college tour, so hopefully we will have him coming soon, within the next month,” Stellrecht said.

College Democrats will also be helping with phone banking and volunteering for local candidates, Stellrecht said.

Elizabeth Eisaman, president of College Republicans, said the organization will be volunteering in other ways.

“We do whatever they need us to do,” Eisaman said. “We will go out to events and walk in parades.”

Eisaman and Stellrecht both said their groups are working with Amy Groya, senator for governmental affairs for Undergraduate Student Senate, to push voter registration.

Stellrecht said College Democrats is also promoting membership and is working to make sure all of its members are registered to vote.

“Our turnout is looking great so far,” she said. “We really encourage freshmen and anyone else to come out. It’s a perfect year to get involved.”

College Republicans is also working to recruit members and is planning to be involved in voter registration drives, Eisaman said.

“One of our goals is to increase campus knowledge … and increase visibility,” she said.

Eisaman said College Republicans is also volunteering to promote the campaigns of gubernatorial candidate and Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell and Sen. Mike DeWine.

“It’s a very heated and interesting race,” she said. “No one knows what’s going to happen. It’s a lot of fun for us to be involved in such a pivotal election. The nation is watching Ohio.”

Contact student politics reporter Kali Price at [email protected].