Americans have seen this year's presidential candidates debate all over the United States, but a local fraternity wants to have them debate in Augusta, Georgia.

On a day when Senator John McCain is campaigning in Pennsylvania and Senator Barrack Obama is vacationing in Hawaii, the brothers at Phi Beta Sigma fraternity are trying to bring them both together in Augusta.

“We want to impact the Central Savannah River Area in a mighty way,” says chapter president Christopher Douse. “We decided to put together this presidential debate in order to get the presidential candidates here 'cause Georgia and South Carolina will be key battleground states during the upcoming election.”

The Phi Beta Sigma fraternity is actively contacting both the Obama and McCain campaigns as well as local politicians, like Augusta mayor, Deke Copenhaver.

Douse says they need help from regular citizens if they are to be successful in bringing a debate to Augusta.

“If the people can get on board and impact their senator with an email or a phone call or something that may urge them to say, 'hey, why don't we choose Augusta? Why not Augusta?’ That way our voice will be heard,” says Douse.

Long time Phi Beta Sigma brother, Julian Green remembers a time when people of color were not considered a part of the political process. He credits his interest in politics to his teachers in high school who brought him and his class to register to vote when they turned 18 years old.

“If we who are putting this debate on can reach out to those who are in our communities and infect others with the enthusiasm we have, we feel that this can grow and we can touch the whole community,” says Green.

Green has been with the Sigmas since 1966. He feels that bringing a presidential debate to Augusta will inspire more people to get out and vote.

“I felt like I was somebody, once I got a chance to vote in my first presidential election, it was an amazing feeling,” says Green. “That was in 1964.”

Founded in 1914 by three young, African-American male students at Howard University in Washington, Phi Beta Sigma recognizes the importance of playing an active role in the political process.

“The whole idea that we want to get across is get out and vote, because too many people have died for the opportunity for us to stand here,” says Douse. “Someone had to pay a price, so now it's time for us as the next generation to get on board and move forward.”

The fraternity says they haven't received a firm yes from either campaign yet.

Presidential debate or not, Phi Beta Sigma plans to drive voters to the polls on Election Day.