With presidential elections just around the corner, political student organizations are gearing up to get students to the polls and win votes in their favor.

Both Students for Bush and College Democrats are working to generate votes for their respective candidates.

Students for Bush has over 300 members working to deliver as many votes as possible to President Bush on Election Day.

"On campus, we have a specific number of students that we want to turn out for the president," said Daniel Suhr, junior in the College of Arts and Sciences and campus chair of Students for Bush. "We also want to make sure our members contribute as volunteers to the larger campaign effort here in Milwaukee."

College Democrats are setting both short- and long-term goals for the semester, said Meredith Salsbery, chair of the organization and a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, said in an e-mail.

"College Democrats not only wants to generate votes for John Kerry, Sen. Feingold (D-Wis.) and other Democratic candidates, but also strives to get students more involved in local elections," Salsbery said. "We will do all we can to encourage students to become involved in the political process not just this year, but throughout their lifetime."

College Democrats has approximately 400 members, Salsbery said.

Both Salsbery and Suhr said it's important for young people to become involved in politics.

"Statistics show that approximately one-third of young people vote — a dismal number. We don't vote, then we complain about how all the federal spending goes to programs for older folks like Social Security, prescription drugs and Medicare," Suhr said. "Whatever you do, whatever issues motivate you, just please vote or your voice will be ignored."

Salsbery might not agree with Suhr's presidential pick but she said it's important for college students to vote.

"Who you vote for or against has an impact on whether you get an extra student loan, how much you pay for gasoline, whether you're able to get a job after graduation and how many of your high school and college classmates are sent to fight in Iraq," Salsbery said.

The political student organizations are planning a variety of events throughout the semester.

The College Republicans will be hosting a Party for the President at 7 p.m. tonight at 1414 W. State Street, Suhr said.

College Democrats and Students for Kerry will be hosting events beginning with a Concert for Kerry held on Oct. 8, Salsbery said. College Democrats will be showing several documentary films including "Outfoxed" and "Bush in 30 Seconds."