With the midterm elections on the horizon, an ongoing campus campaign is making it easier for students to register to vote.
The effort is led by the Student Government Association, the Center for Multicultural Affairs and the GLBTA Pride Center.
“We’re trying to get as many people to register and give them a head’s up that the elections are coming up soon,” said Erin Hennessy, SGA administrative assistant.
On Feb. 23, representatives for the effort set up a table at the Rondileau Campus Center with Chrome Books available for students to register online.
Freshly popped popcorn, bottles of water and handouts with information regarding the Massachusetts and Rhode Island ballot questions were distributed to those who signed up.
“It’s important for students to know the elections are coming up and to start thinking about it. If we can get them to register early, they might be more likely to vote,” Ms. Hennessy said.
Students will have two more opportunities to register to vote online when tables are again set up on Tuesday, March 27 at the RCC from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and again on Wednesday, April 18 in the East Campus Commons from 5 to 7 p.m.
Sophomore Kyleigh Morin is one of the student volunteers who will man the table. She reminds students that to register they will need an RMV ID, which can be a license. Those without ID on hand can pick up an application that can be mailed in.
This September students plan to set up tables again.
“There are many reasons to register to vote. There is a lot going on and it’s important to make sure you’re educated,” Ms. Hennessy said.
GLBTA Pride Center Director Lee Forest gives credit to the students who are organizing the register-to-vote campaign, and highlighted the importance of voting in general: “A lot of change has happened, if you like the way things are going, you should vote. If you don’t like what’s happening, you should vote." (Story by Heather Harris Michonski, University News)