With the 2004 election on the horizon, many organizations are urging young people, with no apparent interest in politics, to head to the polls on Nov. 2.

Across the nation, campaigns are realizing the potential of youth voters, who have been apathetic over the past few decades over politics.

“This will be my first year voting,” said Rachel Moore, a 23-year-old junior. “I never used to care who won the election, but this year I’m going to vote.”

Several organizations are making young people realize their power. Rock the Vote, a nonprofit organization founded in 1990, utilizes the entertainment community to interest young people in the political process.

Through education, Rock the Vote encourages young adults to have a voice. They teach young people how politicians ignore groups who don’t vote, and how it’s important to stand up for what they believe in.

Several key issues that affect adults age 18-24 are jobs, education costs, student loan debt, health care and the war in Iraq.

According to Rock the Vote’s Web site, young people are financially stressed and unemployed. Two-thirds of college students graduate with loan debt in excess of $16,000, and 22 percent of high school graduates are unable to attend a four-year college because of cost.

The Web site points out that if politicians agreed to scale up college grants for low and middle income families, they would help more students reap the economic benefits of higher education and reduce the increasing college debt burden on families and students.

Young people are also less likely to have health coverage, and they are the group that would be targeted if the military draft were reinstated.

The goal of Rock the Vote’s media campaigns and street team activities is to increase youth voter turnout. The organization has organized several registration drives and voter education events.

Rock the Vote appeals to young adults age 18-24, and since 1990 the organization has registered over 789,900 people to vote.

Another organization dedicated to bringing young adults to the polls is Planned Parenthood.

Known for helping teens and young adult’s make wise sexual and family planning decisions, Planned Parenthood is now telling their clients to “Do it in the Voting Booth.”

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte has long encouraged voting to protect health care services.

The campaign began in July as a proactive way to encourage voting.

“Twenty-two million single women did not vote in the 2000 presidential election, and if they did, the outcome of most races would be very different, “said Katharyn McLearan, Grassroots coordinator. “We are targeting women, in particular, because they care about health care and education, and by voting they can make sure that it’s a priority for elected officials.”

Planned Parenthood gained attention by creating “Do it in the Voting Booth” condoms, which have been passed out at colleges, local bars and community events.

Employees are doing their part by wearing T-shirts with buttons that say, “Do it — Pledge to Vote, Ask Me How.” The shirts and buttons are part of a new approved dress code that promotes conversation between staff and clients, which lead to clients registering and pledging to vote.

Planned Parenthood also plans to send their clients E-mail reminders to go to the booth Nov.2.

Sacramento State organizations are no exception to the ongoing effort to increase voter awareness and turnout.

Associated Students Inc. approved a new online system of voting for next year’s student election in a meeting in the Orchard room on Wednesday. Josh Wood, ASI president, said online voting will be a one-time expenditure of $10,000 out of ASI funds, and will save $20,000 each academic year.

“This will be a good tool for us to see what the students want on issues,” Wood said.

The system will feature weekly online polls with 5-10 important issues regarding students, the university and ASI. Students can post feedback and vote on the issues.

The College Republicans, who have been on campus for a year and boast 220 members, are responsible for getting students registered to vote. They are also responsible for the “Fahrenheit 9/11” protest and the Support the Troops rally.

Other groups on campus are having some fun in the process.

The Black Student Culture Association is sponsoring a voter Registration Drive Contest. The contest allows the residence halls to compete against each other to see who registers the most voters and has the highest number of students who actually vote.

A similar contest will match student organizations against each other according to size.

Prizes include T-shirts, pizza parties, gift certificates and a possible appearance on MTV.

“There is greater emphasis on voting because of what happened in my home state of Florida,” said Greg Dossie, president and founder of the Black Student Culture Association. “The presidential election was decided by 537 votes out of millions that were supposedly counted. A change of 269 votes and we would have a different president. That’s less than the total number of people that can fit in a single section of the Union Ballroom.”

The Black Student Culture Association will be having an election forum in the Lobby Suite on Oct.14 at 7 p.m. to give students one last chance to register.

On Nov. 2 the association will host an “I Voted” party while watching the elections. They will tally the winners of the contests. Admission is free for students who voted.

“Students can and should be a voting block,” Dossie said. “In recent years, other demographics have been targeted who are now voting. One of the remaining groups is youth.”