Who’s running?

Democrats: The top candidates are Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards
Republicans: John McCain, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Mike Huckabee, Rudy Giuliani

When do I vote?

Mark your calendars. Here are all the important dates leading up to the presidential election:
Feb. 5: Presidential primary/special election, also known as Super Tuesday
June 16: Deadline for registration to vote in the general primary
July 15: General primary
Aug. 18: Registration deadline to vote in special election
Sept. 16: Special election
Oct. 6: Registration deadline to vote in general and nonpartisan election
Nov. 4: General and nonpartisan elections

How do I vote?

If you are registered in Athens-Clarke County, you should have received a designated location to cast your ballot. You may only vote at that place.

If you aren’t registered in ACC, you can vote by requesting an absentee ballot from the county where you are registered. Most counties have a Web site, so search for your county’s page. Search for “elections office” or “registration office” to find out how to get an absentee ballot. If that doesn’t work, call the board of elections.

Once you’ve filled out the ballot, you must return it either in person or by mail by 7 p.m. Feb. 5.

What’s Happening on campus?

The College Republicans and the Young Democrats are planning events to publicize the Feb. 5 primaries. Louis Elrod, communications director for the Young Democrats, said his organization will be in Tate Plaza all day on Feb. 5 with information about the candidates. Elrod said the purpose of the event is to “generate a little bit of press and attention for the primary itself.”

Elrod said student groups supporting individual candidates will be at Tate, as well.

Laura Stone, chairman of the College Republicans, wrote in an e-mail, “We support presidential candidates by providing volunteers and assistance for grassroots efforts in primary election states. For example, we have traveled to South Carolina on an express trip for Huckabee, we will have members travel to Florida on an express trip for Romney, and we will provide volunteers for the McCain calling center in Athens within the next two weeks.”

“We also encourage our membership to vote. Whether by hosting voter registration drives, by providing absentee ballots, or by providing transportation to the polls, we acknowledge the importance of youth vote in the upcoming election,” she said.

Elrod echoed her statement, saying, “We think apathy is a much bigger problem than the other party. Young people are going to be the deciding factor this time around.”

Thanks to Gail Schrader, supervisor of Elections and Registration, for providing information for this story.

- Melissa Weinman