The College Democrats spent the weekend before Election Day in Reno, Nevada, trying to drum up support for John Kerry.

Nevada is a swing state with five electoral votes, which is the number of electoral votes that cost Al Gore the election in 2000.

The group of 25 joined the California Young Democrats in Reno to participate in canvassing and phone banking. The group also helped manage the campaign office.

Most of the group stayed from Oct. 29 to Oct. 31 because they had to return for classes.

Some stayed until Nov. 2 to help drive voters to the polling stations. Robbie Abelon, president of the College Democrats, said there is a large number of Democrats registered in Nevada, but the worry amongst Kerry supporters is that these registered voters will not take the time on Nov. 2 to vote, so the volunteers will be picking them up and returning them home in order to get them voting.

"It feels good to be a part of something that could possibly make a difference in this election," said Kyle Thornton, a member of the College Democrats. "Nevada's so nearby and that makes it easy for us to participate."

Greg Dossie of the Black Student Culture Association decided to go along on the trip because he "can't do four more years of Bush."

James Kirk, an alumnus of Sacramento State and the College Democrats, also participated in the event. He said that he does not always vote democratic, but thinks that this is an important election to take part in. His goal on the trip was mainly just to get people out to vote.

Luke Wood, Associated Students vice president of academic affairs, also went on the trip, but not as a representative of ASI. He is not a part of the College Democrats, but said that he wanted to do anything he could to increase awareness about the issues in the election.

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