With the Pennsylvania primary getting closer by the day, and the general election merely months away, many students are getting ready to vote for the first time.

Maritza Lawson, an undeclared freshman, registered to vote on Temple’s campus this year. She said that it was easy because there are always canvassers around helping people to sign up. Temple’s political culture might not be as organized as other area schools, but Curtis Blessing, the campus coordinator for Students for Barack Obama, said student involvement is improving.

“It’s better than it has been in the past, but not that good when compared to other schools like Penn,” said Blessing, a sophomore political science major. “They are much more involved, organized and unbelievably active.”

With many students sporting apparel endorsing their favorite candidates, Lawson said she thinks the majority of young people care about the election.

“I would hope that students care more this year because there are so many things going on, the first female candidate and the first African-American candidate,” she said. Political science professor Michael Hagen said that young people are an important group for the upcoming election.