With the upcoming presidential election, Junior Statesmen of America (JSA) and Young Republicans club are increasing involvement in political issues.

JSA is a debate club in which students can attend informal political conferences to express, discuss, and establish their political thoughts and stances; Young Republicans club spreads the Republican message to students and establishes a non-hostile environment for discussing politics.

Though only a small percentage of students can vote, junior Erica Monical, who is in JSA, thinks that it is important to have politically affiliated clubs, she said.

“I think [it is] extremely important for clubs in high school to be politically involved, because even though we cannot vote it affects everyone directly,” she said. “I think clubs can influence the vote.”

However, JSA advisor Mark Cowherd does not think clubs can change the vote that much.

“I don’t know it it’s that important to have politically affiliated clubs, but I do think it’s important that the students understand important propositions,” he said.

Monical agrees that it is essential for young people to understand politics.

“No matter what their stance is, it is just really important to be involved,” Monical said.

Being in JSA has also helped shaped JSA vice president Nick Whitaker’s political views, he said.

“JSA has had an enormous impact on my own political views by having very smart people question and attack all of my political views. I am now more economically conservative,” Whitaker said.

Whitaker encourages other students to increase their involvement in politics.

“I think it’s great for students to get involved in politics and I just hope that they all stay open minded instead of just aggressively gripping a particular stance,” he said. “That is why JSA is my favorite political club—because it is about finding your political beliefs, not just defending them.”

JSA also fosters political involvement by holding monthly activism events to become directly involved in politics. They are also hosting a special event to debate issues in the upcoming election, Whitaker said.

Young Republicans club is also increasing political involvement with the upcoming election. Club members will become more active by posting on the Young Republicans Facebook page, vocalizing their beliefs, and holding meetings more regularly.

“[I am] mainly vocalizing by talking to people at school and by posting on social networks,” Young Republicans president Peter Lally said. “We will begin to post signs about why you should be Republican and hopefully get more members that way.”

Lally is also campaigning for Romney.

“Mitt Romney does not conform 100% to my beliefs, as I am a libertarian, but I feel all libertarians and conservatives should put their support behind one candidate so we don’t have four more years of Obama,” Lally said, “I don’t agree with his social views, but in this election the economy is much more important.

In addition, Lally was impressed with Romney’s debate performance, and believes he will fix the economy.