Abbott Brant

Poughkeepsie Journal

Marist College is ready for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

Tickets to the Vermont senator's 7 p.m. rally are no longer available, as the event had already reached maximum capacity. Sanders will be joined by supporter Michael Stipe, former frontman of the band R.E.M. Though no line has formed yet outside of McCann Arena, the parking lot has filled up quickly. Attendees should carpool, if they can. A video replay will be available after the rally at poughkeepsiejournal.com.

A dozen or so people from the Sanders campaign are putting up signs and posters around the gym, as staff members are handing out fliers and "Bernie" stickers to students passing by. According to signs posted, McCann is officially closing its doors at 1 p.m. to students. No one will be allowed in, except security and campaign staff.

While there are currently no traffic issues to report in and outside of the Marist campus, the event is likely to impact traffic around Marist College, particularly on Route 9. While Democratic and Republican candidates are crisscrossing New York ahead of the presidential primary next week, Sanders' campaign is the first to visit Dutchess. His is the first presidential campaign to stop here in several elections.

Security at the rally "will be heavy," according to John Gildard, director of security at Marist College. Attendees cannot bring bags to the event and are asked to limit what they bring to small, personal items like keys and cellphones. Weapons, sharp objects, chairs, and signs or banners on sticks will not be allowed through security.

The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office,will be assisting the Secret Service with security during the visit, according to Capt. John Watterson. They are being assisted by City of Poughkeepsie police and state police. Officials are urging attendees to take public transportation to the event, as parking is restricted.

Attempts to contact the Sanders campaign about why Marist was selected were unsuccessful, but the decision followed a public invite by the top Republican in the county.

Elections 2016

"Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro recently sent an invitation to all presidential candidates to visit Dutchess ahead of New York's presidential primary on April 19," said Greg Cannon, chief public affairs officer for Marist. "County Executive Molinaro asked — and the college agreed — to have Marist serve as a potential venue for any debate for any current candidates."

The Bernie Sanders presidential campaign responded soon after to Molinaro's offer, Cannon said.

Sanders is the first major presidential candidate to visit Dutchess County in the last several presidential primaries.

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“It’s not often New York state is relevant during primary season,” said Molinaro.

Molinaro will be attending the rally, he said.

“I have a responsibility to every voter in Dutchess County,” Molinaro said, adding he believes every vote should be earned and every candidate should have the opportunity to voice their platforms to the public.

Key issues addressed by Sanders in his campaign include the high cost of college tuition, income and wealth inequality, reforming Wall Street, racial and LGBTQ inequality, and removing corporation donations from politics.

WATCH: Bernie Sanders speaks in Binghamton

Unsure of which Democratic candidate will secure her vote, Marist junior Maya Rovner said she hopes the rally will underscore the key issues for which Sanders stands.

"I'm trying to decide who I want to vote for, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to learn about what his views are and learn what he wants to do as president," Rovner said.

Fellow Marist junior Emily Leavitt said she will be attending the rally to decide if she should "feel the Bern" and become a Sanders supporter.

"I'm undecided, but I want to hear him speak to see what he has to say," Leavitt said. "I think it's really exciting that a potential future president is coming to Marist, so might as well take advantage of the opportunity."

Other students will be rallying to show their already strong support of the Vermont senator.

WATCH: Interview with Bernie Sanders in Binghamton

"I want to see these ideologies that he has become realities, because that's what we need," said Marist junior Joe Starnes. "People say he's too radical, he can't get anything done. But if we want our lives to be full of love and support, his platform offers us that."

Criminal justice reform and taking money out of politics are two platforms that makes Sanders a standout choice, Starnes said.

"We need a man who is going to stand up for the rights of all people, and not just those who pour money into the campaign," Starnes said.

Sanders' campaign made its first trips north of New York City Monday. He attended a town hall-style meeting in Binghamton and rallies in Albany and the Buffalo area. Before stopping in Poughkeepsie Tuesday, Sanders is scheduled to attend events in Rochester and Syracuse.

READ MORE: Live coverage of Bernie Sanders in Rochester

Sanders' rival, Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, also has crossed the state, holding events last week in New York City, Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany and Westchester County. On the Republican side, Donald Trump, Gov. John Kasich and Sen. Ted Cruz have been hitting events around New York.

READ MORE: Planned Parent CEO supports Clinton in Rhinebeck

The New York primary is April 19, and Clinton holds a double-digit lead there, according to recent polls. Pennsylvania — along with Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland and Rhode Island — holds its primary a week later.

READ MORE:4 issues to watch in NY primary

With each Democratic candidate needing 2,383 delegated to win the nomination, both candidates are seeking to win New York's 291 delegates.

"I believe that we have a real path to victory," Sanders said on CBS' Face The Nation, "and that at the end of the day, we're going to win this."

So far, Sanders has won a number of Democratic primaries across middle America and in the north, including Wisconsin, Wyoming, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, Washington, Oklahoma, Hawaii, Minnesota, Maine, New Hampshire, and his home state of Vermont.

Clinton has clinched a majority of southern states, including Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and Massachusetts.

Journal Albany bureau writer Jon Campbell and Journal reporter Amanda Purcell contributed to this report. Abbott Brant: abrant@poughkeepsiejournal.com;845-437-4809; Twitter: @AbbottBrantPoJo

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Live coverage

For live coverage of the Bernie Sanders rally at Marist College, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at #pjelex and for articles, photos and videos leading up to and at the event, go to PoughkeepsieJournal.com

Campaign central

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