PHOTO GALLERY: MU student Democrats, Republicans come alive during campaign season

MU student Michael Burdett relaxes on the couch before the first presidential debate Oct. 3 at the Mizzou College Democrats' watch party at Ashwood Apartments. The Mizzou College Democrats run a lot of political functions in this apartment such as phone banking, debate watch parties and general meetings.   |  Xiaojie Ouyang

State Sen. Kurt Schaefer gives a speech at the Mizzou College Republicans general meeting on Oct. 9 in the Arts & Science Building at MU. Schaefer was working on his re-election campaign in Missouri's 19th District. At the meeting, he talked about his work in this area and on budget issues as well as his opponent Rep. Mary Still. He encouraged students to help with his campaign.   |  Xiaojie Ouyang

Tom Wright, left, vice president of Mizzou College Democrats, and A.J. Feather, president of the Mizzou College Republicans, meet and talk after a 19th Missouri Senate District candidate forum between incumbent Sen. Kurt Schaefer and Rep. Mary Still on Oct. 2 in Allen Auditorium at MU. Wright and Feather talked about the the upcoming Missouri Student Association election campaign. Wright is one of the vice presidential candidates in the student election this year.   |  Xiaojie Ouyang

Carrie Duncan, left, and MU student Daniel Shapiro fill out voter registration cards at a table set up by Mizzou College Democrats on Sept. 14 at Speakers Circle. Duncan is from North Carolina, and Shapiro is from Illinois. Neither of them have voted in Missouri before.   |  Xiaojie Ouyang

MU students gather to watch the first presidential debate at the Mizzou College Democrats presidential debate watch party on Oct. 3 in Ashwood Apartments. About 20 MU students showed up for the event.   |  Xiaojie Ouyang

A.J. Feather, the chair of the Mizzou College Republicans, watches poll data as he smiles before the start of a phone bank Oct. 4 at the Arts & Science Building. Feather became chair of the Mizzou College Republicans last spring. "I'm an enthusiastic Republican because I believe in free markets and free people, and I've grown up campaigning," he said.   |  Xiaojie Ouyang