For LSA senior Yousef Rabhi, the phrase “every vote counts” carries special significance.

During the August primary election, the 22 year old came out one vote ahead of his closest opponent to become the Democratic Party’s candidate for the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners in the 11th district.

A subsequent recount still placed Rabhi ahead — this time by two votes.

As he prepares for the November election, Rabhi said he’s not going to take a single vote for granted, especially the student vote. To make sure he garners as many votes as possible, Rabhi set out Friday on his first day of door-to-door canvassing in student-populated neighborhoods.

As Rabhi pointed out, University students have a historically low-voter turnout.

At last November’s city election, only .99 percent of voters in student-heavy districts voted at the Michigan Union precinct, according to a Nov. 9, 2009 article in The Michigan Daily. The highest student turnout was at East Quad Residence Hall, where 3.06 percent of registered voters cast their ballots. Other residence halls like South Quad and Mary Markley had a 2.64 percent and .8 percent turnout, respectively.

Rabhi said he’s seeking to raise those numbers with student-centered campaigning. For Rabhi, this campaigning means meeting voters face-to-face.

“I feel like the core of campaigning is talking face-to-face,” he said in an interview yesterday.

Rabhi spent Friday afternoon walking down Packard Street and Hill Street with a stack of campaign literature in hand and an eagerness to engage every potential voter he encountered.

Despite Rabhi’s evident enthusiasm, few residents were home.

It took several unanswered doorbells before the first door swung open. The young man behind it was dressed in a bright yellow University hoodie.

Noticing the University apparel, Rabhi introduced himself as “a University of Michigan student just like yourself.”

Rabhi then launched into the details of his campaign — describing his goal to preserve Washtenaw County social services like homeless shelters, mental health care programs and health care packages for Washtenaw County’s lower class residents.

At some point during Rabhi’s talk with the student, several young men walking by stopped outside the house.

“That’s Yousef,” said one of the passersby to the others. “He’s running for county commissioner.”

Rabhi turned and waved to the passersby before resuming his conversation with the student.

After talking with the potential supporter, Rabhi headed down Cross Street but was met with more empty houses.

“People must already be partying or something,” Rabhi said. “I was expecting people to be home today.”

Nevertheless, Rabhi did get to speak with several registered student voters at their homes who said they were excited about his campaign.

At a house on Division Street, University graduate student David Weinglass said he was impressed with Rabhi’s age and apparent drive to win.

“I think it’s great seeing (young) people out that are interested and not being apathetic,” Weinglass said.

In a phone interview yesterday, however, Rabhi said he’s finding it increasingly difficult to balance campaigning and his ever-mounting course work.

“Homework takes a long time,” said Rabhi, who’s planning to graduate this winter. “It’s hard for me to say, ‘OK, I have to campaign now,’ because I have to graduate.”

Despite the workload, Rabhi said he’s still enthusiastic and committed to campaigning.

“I’m still getting out there,” Rabhi said. “It’s always on my mind.”