The Ohio State College Republicans have taken to the streets of Columbus and to the phones to encourage voters to elect Columbus mayoral candidate Dorothy Teater on Tuesday.Pete Lupiba, a senior communications major who serves as chairman for the College Republicans, said that 40 to 50 active members have volunteered eight to nine hours per week preparing mailings, distributing literature about Teater throughout the city, walking in parades and telephoning potential voters.The Columbus mayoral race is one of the most important in the United States because of the political impact Ohio will have on the 2000 presidential election, Lupiba said.Last Sunday, College Republicans from all of Ohio came to Columbus for door-to-door campaigning because of the significance of the race, Lupiba said. Dean Lacy, assistant professor of political science and the group’s adviser, said the Republican Party will plan party strategies for the 2000 election based on the outcome of the Columbus race.Although Ohio does not have the largest electorate, the state is one of the most hotly contested because of the near even representation of Democrats and Republicans, Lacy said.The College Republicans will continue campaigning on Election Day, participating in literature drops in the morning and running errands at the polls and at campaign headquarters.Grassroots participation is the most important role the College Republicans can play because it is the most they can do to help the candidate, Lupiba said.”It’s vitally important (to get involved) because politics is the process of everything else in life,” he said.Lacy said programs attempting to increase voter turnout also are important because the Nov. 2 election is an off-year election turnout is lowest.The College Republicans have made an impact on the campaign as Teater thanked the group at a recent public appearance. “She is someone who cares,” Lupiba said, who also believes Teater should be elected because of her years of public service.Lacy, who is in his first quarter as faculty adviser, said this year’s group is dedicated, active, interested and experienced in working with campaigns.College Republicans have signed up about 600 members since the beginning of the school year and have 40 to 50 active members.Future plans for the group include increasing membership through programs such as “Coffeehouses” where group members go into dorms for discussions with students. In addition, Lupiba said the group is working to invite speakers of many different beliefs to talk to the group.