Colgate University student organizations like Democracy Matters and the Colgate Vote Project worked to aid students in the voter registration process as part of National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Both organizations held a “tabling,” where students had the opportunity to ask organization members questions regarding the voter registration process.
Colgate is filled with young voters and their votes represent a large portion of the American electorate. Director of the Center for Outreach, Volunteerism and Education (COVE) Jeremy Wattles, who works directly with the Colgate Vote Project, shared aspects of this current election that directly affect younger voters to encourage them to vote.
“There are several issues that relate directly to young voters, such as the cost of higher education, student debt relief and environmental policy,” Wattles said. “Data shows that older voters typically vote at much higher rates than younger voters, and therefore have their policy preferences overrepresented. In order to have a more representative and equitable electorate, young people’s voices should have more resonance.”
Junior and Co-President of Democracy Matters Logan Wilson shared his view on Colgate students’ knowledge of voter registration.
“I was surprised while tabling how many people I talked to were already registered to vote, but I’d say about half had yet to register,” Wilson said. “Every system has a different method of registering to vote, and we’ve helped [people to] either register to vote in their own state or register to vote in Hamilton so they can vote in person this November.”
Registration is just the beginning of the voting process — while Democracy Matters and the Colgate Vote Project aim to get students to register to vote, they also want to emphasize the importance of actually following through and voting in an election.
“It’s incredibly important that everyone votes,” Wilson said. “Even if someone is from a majority Democratic or Republican state, your vote can still have an impact on down-ballot elections, which can often have a larger impact on the average voter than the presidential election.”
In regard to this specific election, Wilson also shares his view on why voting is important.
“Polling has shown this election is likely to be one of the closest in American history, and every vote can have a huge impact on the outcome of this election,” Wilson said.
First-year Mary Palladino shared her experiences with voter registration and her thoughts on the importance of voting.
“I am currently registered to vote and already have an absentee ballot,” Palladino said. “I believe that voting is important because it allows people to select individuals who represent their views and beliefs. Voting also gives people a voice in matters that affect them. ”
Colgate students and staff have worked hard to prepare students for this upcoming election and permit them to exercise their full rights effectively. With a campus full of potential first-time voters, the organization’s goals on campus are to educate and make students aware of the voting process.
