A recently organized county group, Young Democrats, is doing their part to change the perception many have that the area is strictly Republican.

Eileen Dubin, chair of the DeKalb County Democrats, brought up the idea of a DeKalb County Young Democrats group to Kori Rempfer at a Barack Obama party on Super Tuesday.

Kevin Chambliss, president of the NIU College Democrats, had previously discussed a Democratic group separate from NIU with Dubin, as well.

“There are 18- to 36-year-olds that aren’t in college that want to get involved,” Chambliss said.
Three months ago, Rempfer, Chambliss and other members made the idea a reality.

As a lifelong resident of DeKalb, Rempfer said she has seen Democratic awareness growing for awhile.

The change has been even more evident with Bill Foster winning the 14th Congressional District. NIU definitely has some influence, Rempfer said.

“If more students voted, it would definitely turn the elections the other way,” Rempfer said.

Democrats are also a majority on the DeKalb County Board, with 13 Democrats out of 24 members.

“The community itself is changing,” Dubin said. “But we’re still predominantly Republican.”

Chambliss sees the group as a political movement.

“Youth involvement, whether it’s Democratic or Republican, is always important,” Chambliss said.
Dubin said she wanted the group started to get young people involved in politics.

Young Democrats will focus on getting more young people to vote as well as encouraging members to run for office.

Chambliss said he wants members to be aware of the issues that are important to them.

“[Young Democrats] will bring a lot of young people into the process and interested in politics,” Dubin said.

Although the group cannot donate money to Democratic campaigns, they can donate their time.
Members have gone door-to-door promoting certain Democratic candidates.

The Young Democrats meet weekly, but have yet to settle on a regular meeting time.

Rempfer said there is a stereotype that young people do not know the realities of life. However, Rempfer said everyone is well-informed and knows what they’re talking about.

Young Democrats is a national organization that was once part of the major Democratic party but decided to branch off for financial reasons, said Rempfer.

Young Democrats wanted the ability to do their own fundraising.

The group consists of NIU graduate students, NIU faculty and DeKalb County residents.

Rempfer said the youngest member is a high school senior.

Young Democrats does not allow anyone under age 18 because they cannot vote in the elections for the group.

Currently, the group has 10 regular members and hopes to gain more members when it has its elections for leaders of the group.

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