Student government is out to get the campus community registered to vote in the upcoming Nov. 5 general elections.

"We are trying to get as much student involvement in the political system which in turn shows that students do care about the issues that affect this country," said Gilbert Davidson, Undergraduate Senate chairman.

The Arizona Students' Association's SAVE, Students Are Voting Everywhere, has a three-level goal of registering, educating and sending the campus community to the polls on election day. It was adopted by ASA in 1987.

SAVE holds registration drives on campus, brings candidates and speakers to educate the voters on current issues, and works to promote high voter turnout by providing voting information hotlines and free rides to polls on Election Day.

The first level of the state-wide university program involves registering the campus population, and the Associated Students have set a goal of 5,000 voters before election time.

Jeff Schrade, ASA Task Force director, said ASUA representatives are visiting the Greek population and the residence halls on campus to reach mass groups of students.

So far, they've registered 460 students. Arizona State University has registered about 800 students, Schrade said.

"There are a lot of people who are fired up and exited about this project," said Schrade. "I don't think we will have a problem of reaching our goal of 5,000 registered voters."

To meet their goal, SAVE is working in conjunction with VOICES, Voting On Issues Concerning Every Student.

Sen. Casey Cuny, who created the VOICES program, said, "I developed this program over the summer in an effort to add more voices to the democratic process."

Janelle Hirsch, political science junior, one the VOICES representatives registering voters on campus, said, "Getting everyone to vote is important because that is the only way to make a difference."

The first-year VOICES program is competing with other Pacific 10 Conference schools to see who can register the most people before the Oct. 7 voter registration deadline.

The school with the most students registered in the Pac-10 wins a plaque. "But really every school and our generation wins a fight against voter apathy," Cuny said.

"We believe that registering students through VOICES can make a profound difference not only in the Pac-10, but across the country in years to come," Cuny said.

In 1988, ASA delegates registered 6,000 students statewide. By 1992, the number increased to 14,000 statewide, contributing to the largest student voter turnout in state and national elections ever.

In 1994, University of Arizona SAVE delegates registered 5,600 students to vote before the gubernatorial and state elections. This was the most students ever registered to vote before an election in UA history and the second largest number in Arizona's history.

Voter registration organizers are using many avenues to try and grab those eligible.

SAVE has sent letters to the English department asking for professors' help in registering students in their classes who have recently turned 18 years old.

On Oct. 2, voter registration day, SAVE is also organizing a band to play on the UA Mall while they register voters.

Delegates will target the tailgate parties on UA grounds Oct. 5, which is two days before the voter registration deadline.

"We are trying to use every resource around campus," Schrade said.

The university has also provided an early polling site at 1834 E. Mabel St. The site will open Oct. 7 for early voting.

The second level of the SAVE program is organizing debate watches in which students gather and discuss the televised debates of candidates running for election.

The UA's first debate watch is scheduled for Sept. 25 in the sky box of Arizona Stadium, which can accommodate about 150 to 175 students. After the debates, those who attend will gather together in small groups to discuss the candidates, issues and the forum of the debate.

The debate watch was first introduced during the 1992 Presidential elections to get American voters talking about the candidates and issues instead of just listening, according to a debate watch manual.

The vice presidential debate watch is scheduled for Oct. 2, and a second presidential debate is set for Oct. 9. Both will be held in the sky box of Arizona Stadium.

The final presidential debate watch on Oct. 16 will be held in the Memorial Student Union to accommodate a large crowd, Schrade said. A specific room has not been set.

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