EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) -- Decision 2012 is coming to the Chippewa Valley.

The excitement is brewing and a local campus is preparing after the announcement that Vice President Joe Biden will be making a campaign stop in Eau Claire.

Many are calling Wisconsin a battleground state in this presidential election.

And that makes Biden’s Thursday visit to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire an important stop for the Obama-Biden ticket.

Vice President Biden will take the stage at Zorn Arena Thursday at 11 a.m.

But before that happens, a flurry of activity will be going on across campus over the next couple days to make sure he makes it up there smoothly.

The news about Biden’s visit to UWEC had only been out a few hours and tickets were already going like hotcakes.

“I remember when I heard about it, I did a little dance around campus,” said Paul Savides, a member of the UWEC College Democrats.

Biden is planning to speak to an estimated crowd of thousands at a grassroots event at the arena.

Assistant chancellor Mike Rindo said Zorn was chosen because of its size and history of hosting similar events, like President Barack Obama's campaign visit in 2008.

“We’ve got our police working with the secret service. We’ve got a number of other university staff working with the campaign on what they need to pull off the event,” Rindo said.

The UWEC college democrats said they’re helping get out literature and the word of the VP’s stop in Eau Claire.

“We're just making sure that everyone knows how to get tickets and they can get tickets,” Savides said.

They'll also be helping out on the big day with ushering -and last-minute tasks.

Rindo said the university has a history of welcoming candidates of all stripes.

“It's really part of the fabric of helping to educate our students to be good citizens when they leave this place,” Rindo said.

The young dems said they hope all the excitement will translate into votes come November.

“I think everyone realizes how important this election is. And I’m really excited to get out and vote,” said Norah Harper Godderz, a member of the UWEC College Democrats.

WEAU 13 News tried contacting the UWEC College Republicans about what they're doing to counter Biden’s visit but haven't heard back.

More details about getting tickets to the campaign stop are posted below.
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EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) – We now know where and when Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to appear on Thursday.

The Vice President’s campaign says he will speak at the W.L. Zorn Arena on the UW-Eau Claire campus on Thursday. The doors are scheduled to open at 9 a.m. The campaign says Biden will lay out what’s at stake for middle class families in the upcoming presidential election, and talk about the President’s plan to pay down the national debt.

The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required to get in. You can get tickets at the Obama campaign headquarters in Eau Claire, Menomonie, and Hudson starting Monday from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Ticket distribution will continue on Tuesday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

OFA Office – Eau Claire
405 S. Barstow St.
Eau Claire, WI 54701

OFA Office – Menomonie
105 21st St. North
Menomonie, WI 54751

OFA Office - Hudson
901 4th St.
Hudson, WI 54016

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EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) – Vice President Joe Biden will be stopping by Wisconsin for the second time this month, this time in Eau Claire.

The Obama Campaign says Biden will be stopping by Eau Claire on Thursday.

Details as to where in Eau Claire or what time has not yet been released.

Republican VP candidate Paul Ryan is expected to be in Green Bay on Wednesday.