[media-credit name=’JEFF SCHORFHEIDE/Herald Photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]The College Democrats of Madison held their fall kick-off meeting Wednesday night to raise awareness for the upcoming election.

Hundreds of University of Wisconsin students gathered to support the College Democrats and hear Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton and State Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, speak.

Lawton described the College Democrats as "a lot of bright and thoughtful people who really can literally infect the voters and the student body around them with their enthusiasm and vision for the future."

Eli Lewien, chair of the College Democrats, said his group boasts nearly 4,000 members, who serve as advocates on campus and work to re-elect a Democratic candidate and ensure Wisconsin stays a blue state.

"College Democrats for me was a way to get involved and get a feel first-hand for what politics is like," Lewien said. "You can sit in a classroom and get a small idea, but working and being active on campus is huge."

Lawton said the College Democrats are the driving force of motivation for UW students to get out, get educated and vote on the issues that will appear on the ballot this fall. The main issues the organization will be focusing on this semester include financial aid, tuition costs, health-care availability, birth control access on campus and equal rights for all Wisconsin citizens.

Enthusiastic freshmen accounted for more than half of the crowd at the meeting.

"After being involved in campaigns throughout the year, I came to UW looking for a way to get more directly involved with politics," freshman Byron Eagon said. "The upcoming election is one of the most important ones in the state of Wisconsin, and joining College Democrats has allowed me to truly be an influential part of the election."

Members new and old had the opportunity to ask Lawton about her upcoming campaign. Students were able to sign up for the many volunteer positions the College Democrats offer including a pre-debate rally in Waukesha this Friday.

"The importance of the College Democrats is that they learn to value a vision of possibility that is an essential part of a successful government," Lawton said. "College students have the ability to shape public policy and offer a longer view of the future."

Other speakers at the kick-off included City Council President Austin King and a representative for U.S. Rep Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis.