As election time comes nearer, teens have to deal with constant images of politics that they think may not affect them because they are not old enough to vote. However, if you have a political stance and are not old enough to vote, there is so much you can do to help with your candidate’s campaign.

I have always been a very opinionated person, and being a conservative has always been part of my views and principals. Because of that, I am hoping for President Bush’s reelection. The only problem with all this is that I’m only 16 and can’t vote. However, that doesn’t mean I can’t do my part to help the Bush campaign.

It all started during the first month of summer. I was talking with my friend Green Valley High School junior Alex Anderson, and he told me about volunteering for President Bush. I ended up going with him a couple of times just to check it out. Now, I volunteer on a regular basis.

Volunteering gives me the chance to voice my opinion and help influence others who can vote. A typical day of volunteering consists of making phone calls or going out and registering people to vote. While I sometimes run into those bleeding heart liberals who don’t want to hear anything I say, I also get to talk to some people who were totally indifferent to the election. By having someone calling them or stopping by to register them to vote, they see that your party really does care and wants the best for the country. These types of people are the ones who can make or break an election, and volunteers realize this, which is all the more reason we are out there working.

Not only does volunteering for the campaign give me the opportunity to help my candidate, it also helps me make great connections. Having connections is the best way to survive in this competitive world we live in, and having political connections is a big plus. These people can not only write you letters of recommendation for college and such things, but they also know people who can pull a string or two when a favor is needed.

Another important part of volunteering is showing you have an opinion on something. I think it is more important that you have a stance on issues and you work for that cause rather than acting indifferent and simply not caring. It is better to have an opinion than have no opinion at all, and by volunteering for my political party, I am openly working for a cause for which I know I can help make a difference.

Before volunteering, it is best to become educated on the viewpoints and stances for each side. This way when people want to talk and ask questions about your party when you are volunteering, you can hold an intelligent conversation about politics and how you stand on the issues. It is also makes your party look good when you know its position on policies and how it affects each person.

Volunteering has been my way of making my voice heard this election year. I may not be able to vote, but I know that my volunteering is making a difference, even if it is a small one, in the campaign for President Bush. The important thing is to have an opinion and have it be heard; this way you know you are making a difference.

If you are interested in volunteering, you can call the Nevada Republican Party at 258-9182 or the Nevada State Democratic Party at 737-8683.