When many people think about voting, they often consider only two contenders: the Republican and Democratic candidates. But there are more.

As a third-party political organization, the Green Party is often overshadowed by its larger, more influential competitors when it comes to winning elections and garnering voter support.

“People have a fear of voting outside of the Democratic and Republican parties because they feel their vote might be wasted,” said Ethan Bodnaruk, a doctorate student in ecological engineering at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Bodnaruk got involved with the Green Party two years ago when he volunteered to help in its national campaign. To further his interest, he joined Syracuse University’s Campus Greens.

Campus Greens is a small, student-run political organization that serves as a connection to the local Green Party collective and allows students to meet like-minded peers, Weston Hoy, president of Campus Greens, said in an email.

“We’re a small group, with only a handful of participants,” Bodnaruk said. “I think there is a lot of potential for interest out there among students because the Green Party focuses on issues central to young adults, like climate change and financial corruption in politics.”

Because of the Green Party’s presence in the city of Syracuse, Hoy said it was necessary for the party to have a presence on campus. The club remains small, though it was founded at SU two years ago. But Hoy said he is determined to help Campus Greens grow in size and recognition.

Students can get involved with Campus Greens by looking for flyers advertising the group’s meeting dates or by stopping at the Campus Greens information table in the Schine Student Center, Hoy said.

“We’re always open to answering questions so students can learn more about what we stand for,” he said.

The Green Party campaigns for principles of grassroots democracy and the abolishment of corporate donations. It promises consistency and offers real, long-term solutions, Bodnaruk said.

Ursula Rozum, a Green Party candidate in the 24th Congressional District, still maintains these same party ideals, despite running in a highly contested race where her views differ strongly from those of the other candidates.

“I’m bringing practical solutions to many of the issues that truly matter to young people,” Rozum said. “I’m a young person too, so it’s just as important to me. We need to highlight the issues of youth unemployment, student loan forgiveness and direct these young adults to prosper in our economy.”

Rozum visited SU on Oct. 15 to meet with students and discuss her campaign policies. She spoke about the Green Party’s project titled the Green New Deal, which is centered on creating new jobs in the community and transitioning to clean and sustainable energy, Hoy said.

One of the main struggles that the Green Party often faces is getting exposure on local and national levels, Rozum said.

“What most voters don’t know is that if we get at least 5 percent of the national vote, we qualify for national funding and are placed on the ballot for all 50 states,” Bodnaruk said. “If more people became aware of the Green Party, we would definitely see an increase in the number of followers.”

Hoy said it is vital to construct a solid following among young adults in order to guarantee a bright future for the Green Party. Campus Greens is fostering this movement by ensuring it maintains its presence in SU’s political scene.

“Building a movement is hard, but it’s interesting and exciting,” Bodnaruk said. “Even though it can be stressful, sometimes you need to take a chance to really see change happen. The Green Party is a real-life example of how success can be found in change.”

Published on October 24, 2012 at 10:20 pm

Contact Annie: apalme05@syr.edu