Represent, Penn State's non-partisan student voting organization, kicks off its opening registration event today from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the steps of Old Main.

"Represent is mainly a notion of support for registering people to vote and for citizen participation," Trey Thomas, overall chairman for Represent, said.

"We are really trying to build our coalition," he added.

Elena Cross, College Democrats member and a founding member of Represent, said the overall goal of the organization is to increase student electoral power and build the student voice when it comes time for elections in the fall.

"We want to let everyone know where to vote and who the candidates are so that they can then go out to the polls on election day and make the decision for themselves," Cross said.

Represent will also be hosting a variety of events throughout the fall that is meant to increase student awareness of the upcoming election.

"We are looking to do a 'rock the vote' charity event where a bunch of different bands will play," Cross said.

Represent will also be hosting the Pennsylvania Political Hip-Hop Conventionin October that will be open to all Penn State students, Cross said.

"We will be talking about electoral issues and encouraging people to get out and vote on election day," Cross added.

Represent was formed in April 2006 by the Young People For Fellowship Program.

The student voting organization's founding partners include the Penn State College Democrats, the Political Science Association, in addition to the Penn State College Libertarians, Thomas said.

Represent also works closely with the United States Student Association and the Pittsburgh League of Young Voters.

The Penn State College Republicans declined an offer to become a founding partner of Represent, Thomas said.

He added that this will essentially mean that the College Republicans will not actually be sharing in Represent's voter registration drive effort.

It is still uncertain to the student voting organization if the College Republicans will become a supportive member to the organization, Thomas added.

Seth Bender, College Republicans president, could not be reached for comment by press time.

Represent holds its weekly meetings on Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. in 165 Willard.

For more information, students are encouraged to visit the Represent Web site, which can be found at www.RepresentPennState.org.