Many viewing parties for the presidential debates had to go virtual this year due to COVID-19.

A hybrid watch party was held Tuesday night at the student union at Iona College. Students were there in person, though socially distanced, while others joined virtually.

It's all a part of the school's civic engagement campaign in an effort to educate students on their right to vote.

Organizers say that while Iona students have always been engaged politically, this year is different in a lot of ways.

They say the whole campaign to get young people voting is crucial because they're getting older - and the hope is to teach them how to try and make the changes they want to see in their country.

"It's concerning for the future of the country, for everyone in the world," said Aaron Harman.

Organizers are keeping the overall push for voter engagement neutral, but most of the students there Tuesday night were Biden supporters. They said nothing in the debate would change their minds.

At NYU, Gianna Guzzo said it is a "battle" being a conservative at a liberal school.

"We're at a university to learn and to develop individual ideas and to hear different perspectives. And it seems to me that everyone is so one-sided," Guzzo said.

Both sides agree it is important for their peers to vote this election.