By Nishtha Sharma '26
“What does the concept of voter registration mean? To me, it involves reaching out to the community, providing access to individuals, and enabling them to vote in their own way. It's about educating them on where and how to vote,” expresses Maddy Marchese ‘25, one of CCLA’s Voter Engagement Coordinators. Rashad Douglass ‘24, another Coordinator, sees voter registration as giving people the information they need to vote, guiding them in one direction, presenting ballot information neutrally, and fostering community involvement.
At the core of the democratic process lies the essential right of citizens to participate in the electoral system, with voter registration serving as the pivotal gateway to exercising this right. In a recent interview, Dickinson College leaders Maddy and Rashad, alongside Professor Erik Love, shared valuable insights into their initiatives to enhance voter registration on campus. Their perspectives shed light on the significance of voting, the complexities of the registration process, and the strategies employed to engage and empower students.
So, who are the Voter Engagement Coordinators, and what is their role? The Coordinators at CCLA lead campaigns and events to boost voter engagement at Dickinson College. Collaborating with Dickinson Votes, they contribute to voter education, registration, and turnout efforts on campus. They act as a primary liaison for local, regional, state, and national voter engagement networks and initiatives.
The Voter Engagement Team conducts classroom visits, guiding both new and out-of-state voters through the entire voting process. They break down the voting form section by section, explaining the necessary steps, highlighting variations based on the voter's home state, and providing guidance on where to go and what to do next.
The fall 2020 presidential election posed a significant challenge due to COVID-related campus closures. To maintain momentum, Dickinson College worked to share online resources including videos to explain how to request a mail-in ballot or register to vote. Originally there was lower student participation, but the registration rate has improved. The success of this approach inspired collaboration with students, leading to better numbers in 2022, with hopes for further improvement in 2024.
Rashad emphasizes the importance of voting in one's local community, particularly for Dickinson students residing in Carlisle, where Dickinsonians constitute a significant population of over 2,000 alongside approximately 14,000 residents. He underscores the impact students can have on local and national change, highlighting the privilege of voting and encouraging involvement through volunteering or participating in classroom visits. Rashad views voting as a social and empowering activity, urging students to recognize the potential for influence in Carlisle.
Maddy believes that since students spend four years in Carlisle, they should be aware of the laws and regulations influencing their lives. She stresses the need for students to understand the implications of their votes, considering the significant power Dickinson holds in Carlisle. Maddy notes a disconnect on campus, whether between student groups or between students and administration, mentioning limited access to voting resources traditionally. She advocates for expanding awareness and resources to bridge this gap.
Professor Erik Love stresses the significance of involvement in local issues, emphasizing the privilege and responsibility of voting at state, local, and federal levels. He sees student voting as a pathway to civic engagement, highlighting its empowering nature and its alignment with the educational mission. Professor Love emphasizes not taking the right to vote for granted, considering historical restrictions faced by people of color. He cites the impact of local issues, such as the Carlisle Borough Council's anti-discrimination legislation, on Dickinsonians. Professor Love applauds increased student engagement, emphasizing the enjoyable and communal aspect of voting.
Despite disparities in resources between people of color and white students on campus, Maddy says there is significant power as a student to effect change. She emphasizes the importance of utilizing available resources to use one's voice. Rashad adds on to Maddy's perspective, referencing data supporting the impact of voting rates on national data collection for schools. He emphasizes the need to improve action plans annually as voting rates rise. While these issues have not been extensively discussed on campus, the Voter Engagement team plans to engage cultural groups for future elections. Both Maddy and Rashad stress the empowering role of candidate information and the critical need for awareness.
The Voter Engagement team engages student leaders every semester, urging faculty to invite them for presentations on voting and Pennsylvania's voting history. They cover topics like out-of-state citizens voting in Pennsylvania, the general voting process, alternative ways to participate, and immediate voter registration opportunities. This approach has proven effective, contributing to increased registrations. Dickinson's positive relationship with the County elections board and the judge of election is maintained through consistent communication, supporting various campus offices and leaders both formally and informally. It enables significant events like rallies for student registration.
Dickinson's strong voter registration relationship with the Bureau of Elections for Cumberland County ensures effective follow-ups for individual student registrations. Professor Love underscores the importance of informal relations with campus clubs, institutions, and communities, such as college Democrats, campus Republicans, athletics, coaches, and communities of color. He actively seeks innovative approaches to engage different campus communities. Recognizing lower voting rates among physical science students, efforts are underway to involve academic groups like chemistry professors in upcoming elections.
Federal elections occur every 2 years, with Dickinson collaborating with the National Study of Learning Voting and Engagement (NSLVE) and Tufts University, marking a decade-long partnership, to assess the voter registration rate and turnout. Emphasizing the significance of local elections, Dickinson tracks internal and poll numbers, engaging with students and county authorities to monitor voting records. The university aligns with national initiatives like 'ALL IN Democracy Challenge' and the 'Campus Vote Project,' adhering to their guidelines for student voting methods on campus.
In preparation for the 2024 elections, with the Primary Election being on April 23rd and the General Election on November 5th, Dickinson is encouraging early registration. On March 19, from noon to 1 p.m., Dickinson Votes will be out on Britton Plaza assisting with voter registration and information about the election. Assistance with registration can also be obtained from Professor Erik Love when visiting his office in Denny 215. Additionally, Dickinson Votes will also be conducting classroom visits in March. The last day to complete voter registration forms for the Primary Election is April 8th.
Dickinson Votes wants to foster a culture of civic engagement which integrates voting seamlessly into campus life. As both Rashad and Maddy emphasize, there is privilege in voting and students should actively participate in their community to effect meaningful change especially at the local level where students can see the impact of their decisions.
Are you interested in knowing more about the upcoming elections? Visit the Dickinson Votes webpage and/or email Professor Erik Love at lovee@dickinson.edu!