With the 2016 presidential elections coming up, political conversations about candidates and debates are becoming increasingly common. The Young Democrats Club is a place dedicated to conversing and debating about the political issues with peers and to learn more about the election, especially on the Democratic Party’s views.

“We’ve only had one meeting so far,” junior Alex Thompson said. “We had a group discussion on Donald Trump, Obamacare and a candidate analysis. “It’s a big group discussion because that’s what politics is.”

Thompson created this club in order to have a place for students to be able to express their opinions on political issues and be educated on the topics.

“I’ve always been a very strong Democrat and I’ve been a liberal my entire life,” Thompson said. “I wanted people to be able to freely express their thoughts and have a safe haven in a place that is really conservative.”

The sponsor of the club is Jane Carlson, who is an Advanced Placement United States Government teacher. She makes sure that the club is sticking with relevant topics and goes through activities with her.

“My role is mainly guidance,” Carlson said. “I just look over what Alex has on the PowerPoint and that she’s sticking to the issues of the party.”

Many students have joined the club to have their point of views heard and to learn more about the Democratic Party itself.

“I joined because I feel like it reflects my views on politics and the world that we’re in right now,” junior Maria Burgee said. “So far I’ve gained a more in depth view of the Democratic Party.”

One of the many things that the club does is debate different topics that the Democratic Party specifically addresses.

“I want them to be informed about stuff that is actually happening and how it’ll affect them,” Thompson said, “stuff like trying to make public college free, standing up for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights and standing for gun control.”

This club helps students understand different aspects of the political party and the upcoming election, to help them if they make the decision to vote in the future.

“The students need to understand the issues and what the party stands for,” Carlson said, “so they’re prepared when they vote next year.”

Additionally the Young Democrats Club hopes that a Republican Club will be created in order to have political debates. But as for now they are sticking to activities dedicated to the Democratic Party.

“I hope that we’ll have a meeting with a Republican Club,” Carlson said. “We can have debates  to open the kids to what the other side believes so that both sides can see that there are other point of views out there and that people believe in these things.”

Everyone is encouraged to come in, participate and express their opinions on the political issues that they feel strongly about.

“Remember that you don’t have to be a Democrat to come,” Thompson said, “you can just come and listen in. When you come, you just have to be respectful of everyone’s opinion.”