This year is an election of firsts.

Either a black man or a woman will serve in the executive branch of government.

These details are superficial to young voters who will go to the polls for the first time to cast a ballot for president.

"As young people growing up in this culture, it's not as much of an issue," said Bismarck State College student Laurie Knudsen.

It's the issues that help students decide on whom to vote.

"Everybody is willing to say something about this election,"said University of Mary student Jen Anderson. "We get to see something that will change history."

She supports Sen. Barack Obama for president, but sees a lot of support on campus for Sen. John McCain.

College students are concerned about the economy, funding for college and the prospect of jobs.

"It (voting) is an opportunity to speak your mind and voice your opinion," said BSC student Chad Schumacher.

He would like to see changes in gas prices, the housing market and employment.

Knudsen is concerned about paying off student loans, as well as what happens to the cost of living and gas prices. When she considered her choice for president, she also considered economic policies and foreign relations.

Concerns about education and healthcare factored into BSCstudent Samantha Krey's choice for president. As president of the Young Democrats at BSC, she's campaigning for Obama. Students stopped by her table in Schafer Hall and picked up campaign stickers.

"I've always been involved" in politics, Krey said. She gets the interest from her parents.

At the University of Mary, political ads and signs are taped to the walls and set on tables. At one place, the University of Mary Young Democrats set out posters advertising the candidates they support. Nearby was a table for the College Republicans.

The two political student groups worked together to encourage students to vote and to inform them on the candidates and issues.

"Even on opposing sides, there is commonality,"said, Lisa Miller, the U-Mary College Republicans public relations director. "We made a joined effort, did research and made pamphlets and flyers for students."

Other students also are influenced by family and others close to them.

"I don't listen to much (news)," BSC student Marcus Ulmer said. "It's about my opinion."

His family, friends and customers who talk to him at work about politics influence him, he said.

Students also get information from a variety of sources, including the Internet.

"I've been in a Facebook argument," Anderson said. "For one of my classes, we were required to watch the YouTube debates."

The student newspaper at BSC, The Mystician, put together a special election issue. They passed it out in the student union on Monday.

"We're trying to inform students and give them all the options," said Lacie Zander, a BSC student and member of the Mystician staff.

The student newspaper staff also passed out stickers encouraging people to vote. People under 24 represent the lowest voter turnout in elections, although it has increased since the 1996 election, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In 2004, the last presidential election, 47 percent of people between 18 and 24 voted, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

(Reporter Brian Jackson contributed to this story. Reach reporter Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@;bismarcktribune.com.)