Latest news, weather and high school sports for Albany and Southwest Georgia

ALBANY --
Leaders of student organizations gathered at Albany State University Sunday afternoon to learn how they can increase the number of students registered to vote.

"We want our student leaders to be able to go back to their organizations and the other student leaders and train them on how to effectively register our students here on campus," said Student Government Association President, Clarence Washington.

As a precinct, students at ASU don’t have to leave the campus to cast their ballot – and the SGA says it’s a simple but important right that gives small communities a voice.

"I'm very big on politics, I'm very big on changing things and I feel like we can't change, we can't have a voice as a community if we're not voting," said Kevius Bass, the SGA Vice President of External Affairs.

Those who attended were able to get a handout that summarizes the candidates and their stances and the SGA says many of the topics affect students.

"The election is so important because there are so many different things such as student loans and Medicare and all these other issues that are very important that are coming up in the fall with the presidential candidates as well as the candidates running for congress," said Washington.

By ensuring students understand the candidates, the SGA is hoping they can encourage others to get involved – and organizational leaders say it’s especially a concern following the recent low voter turnouts.

"I question what other values do people cherish in the community other than voting because voting affects everyone just as politics does. It impacts each individual in every aspect of their lives," said Byron Fields, who attended the seminar in hopes of spreading the word.

With the October 8^th registration deadline quickly approaching, the SGA is hoping this training session will cause a change in the attitude of young adults.

“When election time comes it'll be just like when someone turns 21. 18 years old, it's time to vote! I want to make it that exciting for students to be ready to vote," said Bass.