Students will have the opportunity to interact with Democratic presidential hopefuls in a historic debate Tuesday night.

Iowa State is one of the host sites for a satellite broadcast of “America Rocks the Vote,” the first presidential debate to be held this election cycle specifically to address youth issues.

Students and community members can watch the live satellite debate and participate directly by submitting questions to the candidates via e-mail and other electronic devices from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

Hannah Schoenthal-Muse, president of the ISU Democrats, said she thinks the debate will be a momentous event for Iowa State. The idea of holding a debate focused solely on young people was proposed during the past two presidential elections, but never happened, she said.

“This is a breakthrough event. It is the first time presidential candidates are doing a debate based only on youth issues,” Schoenthal-Muse said.

The Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics is one of the sponsors of the debate. Dianne Bystrom, director of the Catt Center, will be speaking on the importance of debates in the political process prior to the actual debate.

Peggy Baum, program assistant for the Catt Center, said she hopes to see at least 200 people in the Sun Room for the live satellite broadcast.

There will also be an opportunity for discussion among audience members after the debate.

“It is useful for individuals to discuss their immediate reactions before they go home and see the spin on the news,” Baum said.

Josh Reicks, president of the ISU College Republicans, said he thinks it will be interesting to see the candidates interact directly with students, as young people are responsible for much of the grassroots campaigning done for the candidates.

“Since young people seem reluctant to vote a lot of times the candidates don’t [typically] pay attention to them,” Baum said.

Schoenthal-Muse said she thinks the most popular issue for discussion will be higher education and funding for education, especially students’ Pell Grant concerns.

Reicks said he would like to see a student ask the Democratic candidates what alternative plans they have for Iraq and what objectives and timetables they have for bringing troops home.

The event is free and open to the public.

The debate, taking place in Boston, Mass., will air on CNN/U.S. as well as CNN Radio from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Central Standard Time Tuesday.