As the general elections near, more students have come out to volunteer for many of the state's campaigns.

Campaigns use college students as volunteers to help out by posting signs, knocking on doors and making phone calls for candidates.

Carter Jennings, economics and political science junior, has been helping out with Rep. Brad Carson, D-Okla., and state Rep. Bill Nations, D-Norman, in their re-election bids.

"I've grown up in a family that's politically active," Jennings said.

This is not the first campaign Jennings has worked for. He helped Carson's campaign in 2000 and has worked as a campaign manager for the UOSA presidential campaign last spring. He has helped Nations out by putting up signs around Norman and attending local events.

Jennings said he decided to help Nations' campaign because of the work he has done during his four years at the State Capitol when he worked to help OU as chairman of the Higher Education Committee.

Jennings' involvement in Carson's campaign stems from the summer Jennings worked for the 2nd District congressman in 2001 in Washington, D.C.

"He's done a good job for Oklahoma," Jennings said of Carson. "He's the best Democrat Oklahoma has had out there."

Jennings is not the only student working on campaigns. Chris Grossman, political science graduate, serves as Chris Kannady's campaign manager. Kannady is the GOP candidate running against Nations. Grossman said he joined Kannady's campaign because of their friendship.

"I have known him for a long time, he's a good man for the job," Grossman said.

Grossman's job includes organizing and overseeing the volunteers for the campaign. He also works on strategy with Kannady.

Kannady has other students working for him. Grossman credits that to the university.

"If (a candidate) is in a college town, it's easy to get volunteers," Grossman said. "Students have more free time and are interested in politics."

There are around 70 to 80 students working on Kannady's campaign, Grossman said.

"Students do not vote as often as they should," Grossman said. "We are out to make sure they are registered and, when it gets closer to Nov. 5, we will work to get them to go vote."

Grossman said Kannady's work with students is what attracts voters.

"He's been a student leader for quite some time," Grossman said.
hello there & you too