Surrounded by the clanking coffee-making equipment in the Brown Library Starbucks, voices in a nearby computer pod and the frantic typing for last-minute assignments, a simple question is finally considered by the pair: Why do you think it is important to vote?

Laura Kate Music, recruiting director for College Republicans, and Dylan Brugman, vice president for the College Democrats, sit facing each other in black plastic chairs, ready to share their opinions on voting.

Though the two have similar stories of becoming more involved in politics in high school, they also come from different backgrounds and adhere to different political beliefs, one Republican and one Democrat. However, these differences do not prevent them from sharing one opinion: everyone should vote.

Music and Brugman both said they have been interested in government since childhood, and that this interest led them to become more involved in the political sphere.

Music, junior psychology and pre-health major from Abilene, said her interest in politics took off in high school during the 2008 election and that hearing about the College Republicans on campus sparked her interest, so she decided to get involved. Brugman, junior political science and sociology major from Denver, Colo., said he felt he always had an interest in politics and that history classes in high school spurred his passion for learning about governments and their policies.

Take a stand on your opinions.

Brugman said, when it comes to voting, he has a hard time taking people seriously who complain about Congress (and the policies the House and Senate enact) if they haven’t participated in the latest election and voted on referendums in local elections or their representative.

“I think that your strongest political arm, the most say you have in a society is where you cast your ballot,” said Brugman. “It is important for people to realize that we don’t just have to talk about policy change. If you want policies to get changed then you can do things like go out and vote.”

Music agrees. She says voting is taking an active step in what is happening in our country and that step is essential and important.

“Voting is stepping up,” said Music. “You want to put your two cents in.”

When people who are not involved at all claim to have absolutely no preference in who is elected or what policies they bring about, both Music and Brugman hold fast to their belief that voting is an important part of society.

Don’t have an opinion? Then get one.

Music said to think a person can be completely void of opinion is impractical, especially when he or she is presented with the issues that will play a factor in this election.

“Given the correct information, reliable information, and having enough knowledge, can get people interested,” said Music. “And that can make them want to change things or keep them the same depending on how they feel.”

Brugman also said people should claim the opinions they have, even if those beliefs are not popular or mainstream.

“It is impossible for somebody to claim that they don’t have an opinion either way. They are trying not to step on toes and are trying to be civil, and being civil is really important,” said Brugman, noting that being civil, or wanting to appear as fair and balanced to everyone, should not be an excuse for a person to neglect his or her right to vote.

Brugman also said potential voters have no reason to be oblivious or unknowing about the issues because of the media-filled society that surrounds each person.

“I think that it is silly to say that you don’t have an opinion on politics, especially in the age of Google, when our Facebook feeds are blasted with political articles,” said Brugman. “You can hear a candidate say something on television and then you can go look it up. You can actually educate yourself on the issues.”

As they are speaking, one look around the room shows multiple computer screens with Facebook or Twitter open, and smartphones on every tabletop; a plethora of information is available with the swipe of a finger.

“In the past, all of the candidates have tried to appear overly professional, very detached from people,” Brugman said. “Now we can see through things like Twitter and Saturday Night Live, these candidates come onto these programs and use these examples of social media in order to appear more human to people that would otherwise be apolitical. So, the 18-25-year-olds feel like they can relate to those candidates.”

Both believe social media is a becoming a way to bridge the gap between the older generations and the younger generation.

But Music is more cautious. She sees the good and the bad in social media, yet still believes it can be used in a productive way to help spread information about the election.

“Anybody can put anything on social media,” Music said, “but if it’s used in the right way by a reliable person I feel like it can get a message out there to people that don’t see other than on social media.”

Both the College Republicans and the College Democrats are using some form of social media, including websites, Facebook and Twitter, to spread information about the election on campus. Will reaching out in this way, and through other mediums, be enough?

Act on your opinions.

To spread the word about the upcoming election, both clubs have participated in various events geared toward encouraging the community to vote, and each is hoping to host election night parties.

Music said the College Republicans, consisting of about 20 members, have had four debate watch parties, a tailgate and conducted a voter registration with the College Democrats. The local media has covered a few of their events, including most of their debate watches.

“Our events have gone very well,” said Music. “We are always excited about our turnout, and to see how many ACU students are interested in becoming informed this election season.

The College Republicans plan on having a party on election night to watch the results of the upcoming election.

Brugman said the College Democrats, consisting of about 15 members, have also been busy, helping with political events around town and getting ready for the election.

“We have worked with the Taylor County Democrats in hosting Paul Sadler, the Democratic candidate for Senate,” Brugman said. “We also worked the Taylor Democrat booth at the County Fair, and we held a voter registration drive with the College Republicans earlier this month.”

The College Democrats are also thinking about hosting an election night event, though no plans are set in stone, said Brugman.

Both clubs have been involved in getting students informed, registered and ready to vote. Now the only thing left to do is get out there and vote, said Music.

Early voting began Monday and will end Nov. 2nd, and Election Day is Nov. 6th.

Taylor County Polling Places:

Precinct #

101    Johnston Elementary School – 3602 North 12th, Abilene
102     Church of Christ – S. 11th & Willis – 3333 South 11th, Abilene
103     Bonham Elementary School – 4250 Potomac Ave., Abilene
104     Westminster Presbyterian Church – 4515 South 14th, Abilene
105     Baker Heights Church of Christ – 5382 Texas Ave., Abilene
106     Dyess Elementary School – 402 Delaware Rd., Abilene
107     Tye Community Center – 103 Scott Street, Tye
108     View Baptist Church – 250 Boynton Rd, Abilene
109     Pioneer Memorial United Methodist Church – 7302 FM 126, Merkel
110     Shep Community Center- FM 1086, Shep
201     First Baptist Church – University Place – 302 Hickory, Abilene
202     Cobb Park Recreation Center – 2302 State St, Abilene
203     Sears Park Recreation Center – 2250 Ambler Ave, Abilene
204     Abilene Primitive Baptist Church – 3565 Hickory St., Abilene
205     Elmcrest Baptist Church – 517 N Pioneer Dr., Abilene
206     Merkel Middle School Gym – S 3rd & Ash, Merkel
207     First Financial Bank – 117 North Main, Trent
301     Southwest Park Baptist Church – 2901 South 20th, Abilene
302     Southern Hills Church of Christ – 3666 Buffalo Gap Rd., Abilene
303     Tuscola City Hall – 418 Graham, Tuscola
304     Allie Ward Elementary School – 3750 Paint Brush Dr., Abilene
305     New Beginnings United Church – 5535 Buffalo Gap Rd., Abilene
306     Zion Lutheran Church – 2801 Antilley Rd., Abilene
307     Beltway Park Baptist Church – 4009 Beltway South, Abilene
308     Buffalo Gap City Hall – 709 Litel St., Buffalo Gap
401     New Life Temple Assembly of God – 2465 Old Anson Rd, Abilene
402     Hillcrest Church of Christ – 650 E. Ambler Ave., Abilene
403     University Church of Christ – 733 EN 16th St, Abilene
404     Highland Church of Christ – 425 Highland Ave, Abilene
405     Bowie Elementary School – 1733 S 20th, Abilene
406     Thomas Elementary School – 1240 Lakeside Dr, Abilene
407     Lytle South Baptist Church – 1125 East Industrial Blvd., Abilene
408     Potosi Community Center – 3802 Potosi Rd., Abilene
409     Lawn City Hall – 150 Main St., Lawn