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Historically,
turnout
rates
for
young
voters
have
been
among
the
lowest
in
the
nation.
But
a
network
of
students
and
faculty
at
Baldwin
Wallace
University
is
working
to
change
that
trend
in
the
2018
midterm
election.
Student-led "Jackets Engaged," mentored by the Brain Center for Community Engagement and a parallel group of Conservatory of Music faculty members under the banner of #BWVotes, have spent the fall actively encouraging BW students to take their civic responsibility seriously.
Allyson Crays '20, a junior public health major and "Jackets Engaged" student leader, says her group has encountered students on both ends of the voter spectrum.
"In general, students are either extremely involved and excited or completely apathetic," she notes. "We have been working to reach those apathetic students by showing them how voting directly impacts them through presentations, informational flyers and events."
Both
groups
have
staged
campus
voter
registration
drives
this
fall,
including
a
well-attended
"My
Vote,
My
Voice"
concert
at
the
Conservatory
featuring
three
live
bands
and
free
ice
cream
donated
by
Mitchell's.
"We had a great turnout, registered new voters, checked the status of registrations, and celebrated our right and privilege to vote and to participate in our democracy," said Dr. Zarina Melik-Stepanova, a lecturer in piano.
The Conservatory's #BWVotes movement also deployed student social media ambassadors to get the word out and plans a noon, Election Day voting party with a march to the polls.
"Jackets Engaged" also will gather up students who find courage in numbers to "Swarm the Polls" at BW's Lou Higgins Recreation Center and Quarrytown, meeting at noon at the Strosacker Union candy counter.
Crays
and
fellow
student
Katie
Fowler
have
already
voted,
making
the
trek
to
the
Cuyahoga
County
Board
of
Elections
to
vote
early
on
Sunday,
leaving
Crays
free
to
offer
support
to
other
students
on
election
day.
"For many students, this is their first time voting and we want to eliminate all of the stress and uncertainty that we can," said Crays. "I think the biggest barrier is confidence in the process. Many don't believe their vote counts so most of our work has been empowering students to believe they can make a difference. Then we cut out any excuse for not being able to make it to the polls by providing transportation or someone to walk with."
As
Election
Day
dawned,
"Jackets
Engaged"
was
in
the
Union
lobby
offering
a
sweet
reminder,
"Donut
Forget
to
Vote."
Historical data says that's a message students need to hear. In 2014, the nation's last midterm election, youth voter turnout fell to its lowest level on record. Just one in five 18- to 29-year-old citizens cast ballots.
"I got involved in 'Jackets Engaged' because I have always been passionate about standing up for your beliefs and I think the most basic way to do that is through voting," says Crays, who also serves as BW Student Body Vice President. "I want to make sure my voice is being heard and wanted to pass that same passion along to other students."
