Social studies teacher Patrick Roeber’s annual AP Government and Politics mock election normally demonstrates the inner workings of the traditional two party system. However, a new party—the Communist Student Party (CSP)—is emerging as it tries to interfere with the election.
The CSP began when junior Fin O’Sullivan found out about the AP US Government election from a friend who was taking the class. He then reached out to fellow junior Andrew Combs and invited him into the fold. They built their party with support from juniors Elena Abuin, Gopa Arun, Wes Heitz and Lorelei Schreiner.
Despite O’Sullivan and Combs’ founding of the party, the party has no clear hierarchy and considers its work to be a community effort.
“There are other options than the traditional two-party system,” O’Sullivan said. “Communism isn’t a part of the traditional system, and neither are we. We’re not even in the class.”
The party’s first obstacle was discovering the materials and preparation needed to participate in the election. The CSP obtained a copy of the election’s outline and is working to spread its message and grow the party, despite not being in the class.
Since the CSP is not explicitly allowed a spot on the ballot, it is counting on write-in votes that Roeber has neither confirmed nor denied will be allowed.
“We’ll have to see,” Roeber said. “We’re still trying to work out the logistics of [a write-in candidate] since the project is based on Republican and Democrat candidates.”
Roeber normally does the election to keep the students’ learning hands-on, showing the complexity of a real election cycle.
“The idea behind the project is to show what a campaign entails: how to go about setting things up and doing all the different things like making a commercial, writing speeches, researching policy, and doing propaganda,” he said.
The CSP believes that the education system should benefit the students, not the school itself; therefore, it would like to see a decrease in standardized testing and promotion of a more individualized education experience. The party advocates for the legalization of marijuana, universal healthcare and the support of small businesses.
The CSP also has plans to recycle materials from the United States’ nuclear bomb supply and use them for infastructure improvements.
“I would say that we focus on the good of the people and the good of the earth,” Combs said.
Abuin, another party member, said the party hopes to gain traction by using its online platform, specifically its Instagram account.
“Without being in the class, it’s a little hard to get the message out, but I believe we will thrive,” Abuin said. “Our main plan is social media.”
The CSP did not run in the primary election on Thursday, December 16 due to the lack of opposition within its own party; however, student members hope that, with the project requirements finished, they will be able to participate in the general election held later this month.
Students can follow the party’s progress on its Instagram page: @communiststudentparty.
