The Maine Democratic Party wants students to apply for fall Campus Organizer Internships to help meet a goal of having someone on every college and high school campus in the state.

The idea is to get students excited about the November election -- and get them registered to vote.

The interns will also lead volunteer recruitment efforts, work on campaign strategy and help with get out the vote efforts, according to the party.

On the Maine Democratic Party Web site, the party notes that although youth participation has been high so far this year -- both at the February caucus and the convention -- they still need to make a significant effort.

In 2004, the party says more than 50 percent of Mainers between the ages of 18-24 "voted for a second Bush term."

Applications will be accepted through August 15 at mainedems.org/youth.html.

On the Republican side, Dean Scontras, who ran in the 1st Congressional District primary, sent out an e-mail asking people to support the Maine College Republicans.

"If every individual on this list donates just $5, the Maine College Republicans will be able to hire five full-time field staffers to help accomplish a goal of 1,250 new recruits," he wrote.

They too will work to get young Republicans to the polls in the fall and need volunteers to help candidates hand out campaign literature.

Go to www.mainecr.org for more on the college Republicans.