BYU students energized by alum Mitt Romney's presidential bid

The BYU Political Affairs Society will hold an election party Tuesday night on campus for any of the student body interested. There will be games, prizes for guesses on electoral wins and free pizza. Democrats and Republicans will be watching it side by side, which will create an interesting atmosphere, said Debra Andersen, president of the BYU College Republicans.

"Students are definitely excited, they identify with Romney because of BYU and religion. Those aren't the only reasons, but are part of the interest," Andersen said. "It's exciting to have a candidate to relate to so well. … I think students are interested especially now that there really needs to be changes. They are excited about Mitt Romney to see that he can do that."

Those at the election night party can discuss their points of view, debate the candidates' chances with everything done in good jest, David Romney said.

"I really have been surprised at how much diversity there is on campus. We have a lot of Democrats and Republicans on campus, and I think it's a real benefit to students on campus to be able to share their point of view and ideas," he said.

One thing both the College Democrats and Republicans have been doing for weeks is sending students on deployments to some of the swing states. Students have gone by bus to either Colorado or Nevada to do door-to-door knocking and phone calling for a weekend.

Many students have volunteered with the Romney campaign by helping at a call center in Orem. The College Republicans met every Tuesday night and worked at the center, said Kinard, co-social media chairwoman for the Republicans.

"There's a lot of support. There's also quite a bit of support on campus with Barack Obama," she said. "Just because Mitt's Mormon, I don't think it's necessarily turned votes. Lots of people are pretty aware and making their decision issue-based."

Obama's campaign is still campaigning in Utah and making use of volunteers, Ader said.

"As a leader in this organization, it is interesting to see how my life revolves around politics, but how so many other people don't even care," Ader said. However, he said this campaign year has been different, including the election night party and those who come to be a part of it.

"To have everyone come together, to be there to support. For at least one day of the year they come," he said. "This one day everyone will be interested to see what happens."