Gavin Morris spent Thursday morning taping fliers on walls at the UTPB campus to remind students that not everyone used to be able to vote.

In the UTPB Young Democrats president's hand was a copy of an old document containing antiquated laws that kept blacks from voting.

Voting was once a privilege, but people don't know how important it is anymore to exercise that right, he said.

After years of being dormant, political clubs on both sides of the partisan aisle are alive and kicking, hoping to inform students about political platforms.

"This is not a McCain/Palin club - it's a Republican club," said Jonathan Dumire, president for the Republican club.

Coming from a conservative, patriotic and active family, Dumire said it's important to him that the club informs the youth about both platforms and how to vote.

He's already had students approach him in his political science classes asking him how to register to vote.

At a UTPB event called "Club Day," the Young Democrats and Young Republicans broke even with total membership equaling 40.

Morris and his club hosted a Democratic National Convention watch party. He said he was surprised that 50 students showed.

"A lot of closet Democrats came out," Morris said.

Morris played football for Permian High. He said he knows the demographics show that the number of Democrats who traditionally come from this area isn't that many.

Morris set up a table at the beginning of the school year to inform students of the club's existence. He said students were enthusiastic to learn that there were Democrats on campus.

Aliza Joiner, Young Democrats membership officer, said the flier for the Democratic club was nice to see when the school year started.

"It was nice to see Democrats on campus," she said.

A graduate from OHS, Joiner said she felt resistance in the classroom in high school if she ever talked about her left-leaning political views.

It's just a few weeks into the school year, and the Young Democrats have already become very active in the community.

The Young Democrats had a voter registration drive and were deputized so they could register people to vote.

"In eight hours, 95 people registered," Morris said. He said they've registered 150 total since.

Joiner, a freshman at UTPB, said voting is the most important thing someone can do, and it's her goal to inform younger people how to register and the significance of voting.

"Ages 18 through 25 have the least amount of turnout, yet they're the biggest demographic," Joiner said.

Dumire and Morris said they think their clubs won't just be around during election years but will continue to be active political resources not only for UTPB students, but also for the community.

Rolando Diaz, UTPB director for student life, said making the campus more traditional and less of a commuter and continuing education school has been one of his main goals since he started four years ago.

"We've taken extra steps," Diaz said about supporting the student community on campus, which lends to growth in the clubs.

He said this year's "Club Day" was a success.

The leaders of both political clubs said they hope their passion for politics becomes infectious, and they stay active so young people know the importance of participating.

"I was brought up to love your family, your country and God," Dumire said. "It has always been important to me to be patriotic and be active."

HOW TO JOIN

>> Call the front desk in the UTPB Student Life Office: 552-2650.