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The Student Newspaper of the University of Missouri

The Maneater
The Maneater has launched a new website! Click here to provide feedback.
The Student Newspaper of the University of Missouri

The Maneater
The Maneater has a new website! Provide feedback here.

Get Involved: Student Political Organizations at MU

Student political organizations help college-aged voters prepare for the Nov. election.

Disclaimer: The publication of student organizations and clubs within this guide should not be taken as an endorsement from The Maneater, nor does this guide claim to be an exhaustive list of all student organizations hosting events for the 2024 Presidential Election.

Student organizations at the University of Missouri are working to mobilize students for the November election. Some of the organizations’ efforts include helping students register to vote, informing them on ballot measures and hosting events and activities to increase political involvement.

Associated Students of the University of Missouri (ASUM)
  • Mission statement: “ASUM advocates for fellow University of Missouri system students with Missouri lawmakers and Mizzou administrators while also increasing civic engagement on campus.”
  • When they meet: N/A, applications for the 2024 Election Engagement Team have closed.
  • Social media:
  • Get involved: ASUM events are open to all MU students. ASUM can be reached at asum@missouri.edu.
  • Upcoming events:

ASUM focuses on mobilizing students and making sure they have accessible ways to vote by hosting individual meetings with students. It is renovating its website to provide information on ballot information and voter resources including events, registration, absentee ballots and making a voting plan. It is collaborating with the Missouri Developmental Disability Council to provide accessibility resources to voters.

Mizzou College Republicans
  • Mission statement: “The College Republicans are committed to advancing the Republican Party on campuses, electing conservative politicians, and mobilizing the next generation of Republican leaders.”
  • When they meet: Meeting times and locations vary. Current information can be found on Instagram at @mizzourepublicans.
  • Social media:
  • Get involved:
    • Join the club on MU Engage or email club leaders at Mizzourepublicans@gmail.com 
  • Upcoming events:
    • Oct. 19, time TBD: Club members will walk with the Republican floats during the Homecoming Parade.
    • Nov. 5: Mizzou College Republicans will host an election watch party. Updated location and time information will be posted to the club’s Instagram closer to the date.
    • Most Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. club Vice President Brenden Poteet will speak with MU students at a table in Speakers Circle.

Mizzou College Republicans provides members with opportunities to network with current elected officials, make friends and discuss politics in a non-judgemental space with fellow conservatives, the club said on MU Engage. This year, club members have campaigned for Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and plan to meet with Sen. Eric Schmitt during MU’s Homecoming weekend. 

Mizzou Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA)
  • Mission statement: “To educate and organize students, workers, young people, and members of the community at large and to play a helpful and principled role in the movement for social and economic justice.”
  • When they meet: Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in Lefevre Hall, Room 106
  • Social media:
  • Get involved: Join the club on MU Engage and join the YDSA mailing list
  • Upcoming events:
    • Current information on club events can be found on Instagram at @mizzouydsa

Mizzou YDSA encourages young voters to participate in elections and educates students on ballot measures. It is not focusing on the presidential candidates and will instead host events and involvement opportunities to help students register to vote and inform students about ballot information and local politics, said Sami Binnings, the co-chair of Mizzou YDSA.

Mizzou College Democrats
  • Mission statement: “To promote progressive politics and good governance, and to serve as a resource for students interested in political engagement.” 
  • When they meet: Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in Switzler Hall, Room 101
  • Social media:
  • Get involved: Join the club on MU Engage and GroupMe
  • Upcoming events:
    • Oct. 9, 7 p.m: The club will discuss Project 2025 in Switzler Hall, Room 101.
    • All club meetings from Wednesday, Oct. 9 until the election will have a Notary Public present to notarize mail-in ballots.

Mizzou College Democrats works to ensure that students understand what they are voting on by explaining ballot language, the evolution of the ballot and the impact of amendments, the club’s communications director TJ Benoist said during a club meeting on Sept. 18. This semester, the club is working to teach students how to register to vote and how to vote by absentee ballot.

Pi Sigma Alpha
  • Mission statement: “Our mission is to encourage the scientific and practical study of political and governmental matters.”
  • When they meet: Every other Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in Middlebush, Room 211
  • Social media:
  • Get involved:
  • Upcoming events:
    • Current information on club meetings and events can be found on Instagram at @mu.polisci.

Pi Sigma Alpha works to mobilize young voters by having discussions “in a productive, civil, and fun manner,” Logan Liguore, Pi Sigma Alpha’s president said in an email to The Maneater. Pi Sigma Alpha aims to host a “large and ideologically diverse community” for discussions to further students’ understanding of national and state politics. They help students register to vote, find and change their polling locations and learn more about the upcoming election. The organization plans events, holds discussions and hosts guest speakers each year for students interested in political science and government.

Information written by Ash Merenbloom, design by Matthew Jacobi