Each Tuesday from March 25 to April 8, students and the community are welcome to attend several events on campus to learn more about the 2008 election, its candidates and how each person can be involved in local governments.

Paul Kriese, associate professor of political science and chair of the American Democracy Project, is co-organizing the events with the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

“This series is about the process and showing people how they can get involved,” Kriese said. “We need to get people talking about the election issues and talking to each other on the campus.”

Tim Williams, director of Multicultural Affairs, said the events will helpfully get students thinking and talking about politics and realizing the relevance of Indiana in the primary election this year because usually by this point in the process, both parties have selected their candidate.

“This is an exciting time in our political history as a nation and for the state of Indiana. The diversity of the candidates, a white male, an African American male and a female, has made the primaries even more compelling,” Williams said. “The excitement that has been building around the national campaign for the presidency during the primaries is now growing on campus among the students and we look forward to providing them with the opportunity to get involved.”

A round-table discussion with Wayne County democratic and republican leaders is on March 25. The discussion about politics in Indiana and how to get involved will be held from 10-11 a.m. in Middlefork Hall, room 127.

Kriese will discuss the history of politics on April 1. The presentation will be held 10-11 a.m. in Middlefork Hall, room 127.

To conclude the month of events, students in Kriese’s introduction to political science course will participate in a mock debate on April 8. Kriese said students will take on the identities of the candidates and have developed a staff to develop political issues. The candidates will meet in a mock debate and all IU East students will be able to cast a ballot and vote for a winner. The mock debate is at 2 p.m. in Vivian Auditorium with election results to be announced the following day.

For more information, contact Paul Kriese, associate professor of political science, at (765) 973-8374 or Tim Williams, director of Multicultural Affairs, at (765) 973-8320.