The Presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney will focus on domestic policy. Political science professor Gary Malecha and his class on U.S. Presidents are expected to attend the watch party, along with other student groups.

The watch party is part of the innovative “Vote UP” program, which is a collaboration between University of Portland faculty, staff and students to increase on-campus voter turnout, engagement and dialogue in the weeks leading up to the 2012 Presidential election. The program will include voter registration drives, weekly panel discussions about key issues, debate and election-watch parties, and a post-election wrap-up. Each panel will be followed by discussions facilitated by TOLCS (Teaching Our Leaders Civil Discourse and Service), students trained by the Communication Studies department in civic discourse and public dialogue.

All “Vote UP” events are free and open to the public and are set for 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Locations are subject to change – please check the official Vote UP website at  www.up.edu/voteup  for the most up-to-date information.

Vote UP is being sponsored by The New York Times as well as the University of Portland Political Science department, Student Activities, and the Moreau Center for Service and Leadership.

For more information about the watch party, contact John Furey at furey@up.edu or 503-943-8422.