With the presidential election less than two months away, campus organizations have been taking steps to promote participation.

The Penn State College Democrats have been recruiting voters at registration tables this week at the HUB-Robeson Center and in Findlay Commons in East Halls.

"The point of our drive is for student's to voice opinions in the upcoming election. A lot of people think that students are apathetic," said Alison Altman, (senior-political science and journalism) vice president of College Democrats. "We're hoping that with the presidential election, it will increase participation with local, state and national affairs or at least increase concern with the issues at those levels."

During the first two days of the drive, 500 new voters registered. By Friday, the group hopes to increase that number to 1,000 students, Altman said.

Registration is being held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow at the HUB-Robeson Center and from 5 to 8 p.m. in East Halls. A table will also be set up at the corner of Shortlidge Road and College Avenue today to attract voters.

Absentee ballots are available at the tables for registered voters who live in different sections of Pennsylvania. Out-of-state students can use their current address for registration and unregistered voters from Pennsylvania can use their current addresses as well to register. The last day for voter register to be eligible to participate in the presidential election is Oct. 10.

"For me, this election is a lot about environmental issues. "It's important to be heard and vote for the candidate that best suits your interest," said Monica Lacko (senior-biology). Most new voters have been predominantly freshmen or women. Some voters chose to register because of a like or dislike for the candidates.

"I don't want Bush to win. I didn't vote before and I could have, but I think this race will be close," said Meredith Bruening (sophomore-division of undergraduate studies). "My vote may have more of an impact."

On Tuesday night, Alpha Phi Alpha Inc., sponsored a political forum called, "A Voteless People is a Helpless People." Representatives from the College Democrats, College Republicans and support for the Green Party presented some of the candidates' stance on current issues, said Dameon Proctor, treasurer of Alpha Phi Alpha (senior-electrical engineering).

"We wanted to present the presidential platforms and to black men and women and Latinos and show them how it will help them, and convey it in such a way that they understand what it means to them as minorities in this country," Proctor said. While the attendance of about 35 people was disappointing, education, racial profiling and economic plans were popular areas of discussion, said College Democrats Secretary Jared Cram (junior-finance).