Mercer University class teaching the science behind elections and campaigns

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) - When it comes to understanding the numbers and science behind elections, it can be complicated and always up for debate.

News at 6:00.

I'm shelby coates.

Tucker sargent will join us shortly.

Our top story tonight at 6... understanding the numbers and science behind elections.

It can be complicated and always up for debate.

But a political science professor at mercer university... is trying to give students that election strategy experience... as a real life battle for votes... plays in the background.

17 1:02 1:07 1:41 2:07 nats track: it's the last "campaigns and elections" class at mercer university before tuesday's presidential election.

Nats and these students are piecing together each presidential candidate's road map to a win.

Trevor - "we more so have a discourse that's like well trump could win by doing this.

Or biden could win by doing this.

And here are the states they have to win."

While difference may vary... the debate is respectful ... and backed by theories learned in this classroom.

Trevor: "people tend to take a step back and try to argue academic arguments for either side."

All this ... while a historic presidential race is happening right outside these halls.

Drew - "we're in the deep in as its happening" trevor - "we can see what we learn in real time."

Doctor chris grant is the professor in this class.

And he's also the political science chair at mercer university.

As his students break down the must-win states for president donald trump and democratric candidate joe biden ... he's also hoping they are gaining insight into what politics is all about.

Grant - "they need to understand the context of the elections and what's likely to happen."

Stand up - so inside the classroom students are talking and debating strategy and crunching the numbers.

But outside of the classroom -- right here on the mercer campus -- the students are putting their campaign and voting strategies and theories to work.

Grant - "if you work in politics and campaigns the only experience that counts is actual experience."

This class has students organizing voter registration drives ... social media campaigns... and even identifying subgroups on campus that are not registered to vote -- like science majors or athletes.

Solomon - 'it's very complex.

It's not just simple cut and dry.

You go out, you run.

You try to get support.

But these students say in 2020..

Young voters are all in.

Drew - "'oh i think the young vote will determine this election truly" drew williams is a sophomore and involved with the mercer young democrats club.

He says his focus is election enthusium -- getting people excited about voting and then getting them to the polls.

"people say that college students aren't interested in politics because they don't want to mess with it.

But my experience has been this year everyone is really interested."

Interested to see if their theories prove true ... as voters casts their ballots.

C1 3 b13 solomon - "i've never seen so many people focused on we need to get out.

We need to vote.

We need these students -- of course -- have assignments inside the classroom.

But they are also required to focus on a service-learning community project.

Doctor grant said..

It was harder this year