University political activists have been working diligently the past two months to register students to vote in today’s elections.

Between Oct. 1 and today, 163 people in the 18- to 24-year-old age bracket have registered to vote in Story County. Many of them were registered on the Iowa State campus.

“We really are pleased with the number of people who have registered for the special election,” said Andy Tofilon, member of ISU Democrats.

Traditionally, elections held in non-presidential years have had a lower voter turnout, he said.

“It’s hard to get people motivated for a special election,” said Tofilon, sophomore in journalism and mass communication. “You get your big pushes for people to register for the gubernatorial and the presidential elections.”

Tofilon said the ISU Democrats have worked to register people in both parties.

“We don’t aim just at Democrats,” he said. “No matter what your party affiliation is, we want you to vote because that is the only way democracy will work.”

Garrett Toay, president of Iowa State Students for Bush, said Iowans have many reasons to be politically active.

“I’m from a farm background, and all the important things that affect agriculture happen in Washington, D.C., and politics,” said Toay, senior in agricultural business. “You need to know what’s going on. There’s something for everyone, and you just have to align yourself with a candidate that best suits your goals and beliefs.”

Toay currently is getting people registered to vote for the upcoming January caucuses.

Molly Klein, president of ISU Democrats, also has been working to improve the 15 percent voter turnout for Iowans in the 18- to 24-year-old age bracket.

“Voting is like brushing your teeth,” she said. “It becomes a repetitive motion.”

Klein, sophomore in political science, said she is hoping to see one-third of the student population head to the polls today. Having both Vice President Al Gore and Bill Bradley visit the campus has increased awareness of upcoming elections, Klein said.

Secretary of State Chet Culver, Ames city councilwoman Judie Hoffman and candidate for Iowa House District 61 Jane Greimann also have been on campus to register voters.

In an attempt to increase voter turnout, there will be shuttles taking students from Maple-Willow-Larch, Union Drive Association and Old Richardson Court Association to the polling places.

Buses from Maple-Willow-Larch and Old RCA will run on the hour. The UDA shuttle will run at 10 past the hour.

“One vote makes a difference, especially in this election, because not very many people will vote,” Klein said.