On April 3, students increased their political awareness at the first Political Action Fair which was held on the quad, organized by senior Jaya Wen. Several local political organizations and advocates set up tables with information about their organizations. “The goal of the political fair is to provide future voters with diverse perspectives from which they can form educated, thoughtful opinions and contribute meaningfully to the democratic process,” Wen said.

Republicans, Democrats and Libertarians were represented at the fair. “The purpose of the Libertarian representation, a third party political group encompassing both liberal and conservative ideas, was to help expose students to less well-known parties and broaden their knowledge of these parties,” Wen said.

Organizations that partook in the event included the Committee for Green Foothills, the Santa Clara County Democratic Club and a campaign for the Clean Money and Fair Elections Act. “I think if students become engaged and stay engaged we’ll have a better democracy,” advocate for the Clean Money Campaign and Gunn parent Nancy Neff said.

Youth Community Service (YCS)/Interact club members also had a table for students to pledge to vote when they are eligible. “I think it’s important for students to look ahead...[and] to take a second and think for themselves,” senior student pledge organizer and YCS/Interact copresident Naomi Shachter said.

According to Wen, students can still make an impact even if the organizations present were only local. “The fact that an organization as local as the Committee for Green Foothills exists shows that simple determination can make a difference,” Wen said.