Kansas University student Bill Walberg has a packed schedule today.

6:30 a.m.: Rise and shine.

8 a.m.: Take to the streets to wave signs for Republican candidates.

10 a.m.: Pick up candidate pamphlets at local GOP headquarters and distribute them at area precincts.

4 p.m.: More sign waving.

7 p.m.: Leave Lawrence for election party in Topeka.

“I’m dedicated to the election,” said the sophomore, who is active in KU’s College Republicans student group.

It’s too early to say how many other college students will join in Walberg’s enthusiasm – though a new poll indicates that the youth vote is potentially active and could make a difference this year.

A Harvard University poll released last week predicted a record 32 percent of the 18- to 24-year-old crowd would turn out today.

But apathy still exists.

KU freshman Samir Kashyap said he doesn’t sense much hype surrounding this election.

“There’s just not a lot of stuff there that’s interesting to me,” he said.

The number of Douglas County registered voters aged 18-24 has risen by 9 percent since September, with 14,715 registered to vote. That’s 19.2 percent of all registered voters.

Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew called the growth a “good-sized increase” but not unusual.

KU students who are wired into political campus initiatives and student groups say students are excited about the election.

“I have never, ever in my life seen so many people in the 18 to 25 (category) know about the attorney general’s race or a race for the second district,” said Ian Staples, legislative director for KU’s student senate. “I think there are races that are divisive enough and competitive enough in Kansas that the youth vote will make a difference.”

Marc Langston, head of KU Young Democrats, said the mud-slinging via television advertisements has young people tuning in and getting to know candidates that were previously unknown.

“I think the attorney general race finally got traction from students because of all this negative advertising,” he said. “I remember when I brought Paul Morrison here (in August) and no one knew who he was. Now everyone knows who he is.”

And for his part, Langston said he’ll be peddling fast today, starting with a 7 a.m. stint energizing voters on Wescoe Beach.

“I might be the only one there on Wescoe,” he said, “but I’ll be very energetic.”