Tonight brings us the third debate in the Republican presidential primary as things continue to gear up for the 2016 election cycle. With so much focus on the youth vote, you would think that politicians would be itching to get face time with students. Plans for tonight’s event, however,  tell a different story. Although the debate is being held at the University of Colorado, Boulder, most students won’t be allowed to attend thanks to a strict ticket limit.

In order to protest the decision to shut students out – and make their election concerns heard, a group of students at CU-Boulder are hosting a live broadcast before the debate, featuring fellow students, moderators, professors, and SFL’s own, Alexander McCobin! The group, #StudentVoicesCount, describes themselves thusly:

We are a cohesive group of students working together along with the positive influence of the community to open up a discussion about student involvement at a university event. We are displeased that an on campus event has excluded students from a national debate and more displeased with the systems in place that let this happen. We are nonpartisan and should this turn into a demonstration we do not want to disrupt events or place blame. We want to change the way politics are viewed and discussed, in a civil manner. #StudentVoicesCount

The event is being co-hosted by BE HEARD! and will be steaming on the organization’s website as well as on the #BeHeardTV Youtube channel. There will be an open dialog on YouTube and our other social media platforms that everyone can join.

Tune in this afternoon at 3:00 pm Mountain Time (5:00 pm EDT) to hear from President McCobin, as well as student leaders at CU-Boulder, and politicians like Martin O’Malley, Jill Stein, and Jared Polis on the importance of the youth vote.