Voting Matters: Student Action in Motion
By: Clerfania Previlon
With election day upon us, student organizations have taken the initiative to mobilize the college vote. Orgs have hosted voter registration events and emphasized to the student body the importance of exercising their right to vote.
“It's very important for universities, especially HBCUs, to emphasize civic engagement in our student body.” Eboni Graves, a first-year political science major, economics minor, said. “It's kind of our duty as students to promote community service and voting rights and things that students should be involved in. Emphasizing civic engagement also helps students more with their community.”
Historically, student voters have played a key role in shaping local and state elections, influencing policies that directly impact education, community resources, and social justice initiatives, proving that active participation on campus can have a meaningful effect beyond the college grounds.
The National Council of Negro Women’s “My Body, My Mind, My Vote” event and the Beta Chi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.’s “Postcards and Policy” event are among the many voting registration and seminar events that have taken place over the past month.
Events have been geared towards educating and encouraging voters rather than swaying them to one candidate or party.
We asked a member of the National Council of Negro Women why they chose to host their “My Body, My Mind, My Vote” event.
“Unfortunately, not too long ago our voices did not matter, and now that we have a seat at the table, it’s important to keep that seat and voting for the people that have our best at heart is the first step.” Alina Bajomo, third-year Criminal Justice major, sociology minor on the pre-law track, said. “Getting educated on policies and who is running is more important than we think… it is our mission to help uplift black women and their descendants, and that starts with voter education.”
By engaging in voter education and registration efforts, students are not only exercising their rights but also shaping the future of their communities.
