Election Day is fast approaching, and although the voter registration deadline has passed, local businesses and campus organizations are advocating for Athens residents to vote.
According to a study from Tufts University, in the 2020 presidential election, the national student registration rate was 83%, up from 76% in 2016, and the national student voting rate was 66%, up from 52% in 2016. Even though there was an increase in voter turnout from the 2016 to 2020 presidential elections, there still is a gap between those who register to vote and those who make it to the polls.
Many organizations in Athens hold voting initiatives to ensure political participation in college students continues to grow and the gap between registered voters and those who make it to the polls closes.
One of those organizations is the League of Women Voters in Athens County. The Athens branch is part of a national group that strives to eliminate barriers to political participation so diverse perspectives can be represented in government. Co-President Adriane Mohlenkamp discussed the importance of getting to the polls and being educated on local candidates as well as national candidates.
“The more local the race, it's often more of a direct impact on people's day-to-day lives,” Mohlenkamp said. “For example, a lot of townships are in charge of road maintenance … Our county commissioners, they oversee the budget for the county … It takes a fewer number of voters to make a difference in those elections.”
Local businesses are also encouraging Athens residents to vote. Bagel Street Deli, located at 27 S. Court St., is holding a “Voter Benefits” event from Oct. 14 to Nov. 5, where voters can get a free bag of chips or fountain drink if they show their “I Voted” sticker at the register.
Additionally, Jon Rose, a candidate for Athens County Commissioner, is a barista at Donkey Coffee and asks people at the register if they are registered to vote and answers questions people have on the upcoming election.
Campus organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union Ohio University Campus Action Team understand the complexities of voting, especially for out-of-state students or those voting through a mail-in ballot.
Alyssa Gray, a sophomore studying political science, is the new member coordinator of ACLU-OU. She discussed how the group educated students on their civil liberties, who the candidates are on the ballots and how to fill out voter registration forms.
“I think a lot of people, the reason why they don't register to vote is because they don't understand the forms and how all of that stuff works,” Gray said. “So I think it's really important to have someone else who knows the process and all those things to help you fill out the forms.”
Student Senate’s governmental affairs commission also works to bring political education to OU students and is the liaison between students and the local, state and federal governments. Senate hosts informational events, has resources in its office for absentee voting and posts flyers on Instagram about important dates surrounding the election.
Donald Theisen is a sophomore studying political science and economics and serves as the governmental affairs commissioner. He recently hosted a “Meet the Candidates” event where the two candidates running for the 95th District seat of the Ohio House of Representatives could talk to students about their campaigns.
“We managed to have (the candidates) here and ask them questions,” Theisen said. “Generally, we just wanted to know anything the students were wondering of them, anything that may be pertinent to us as students now and then in the future when we apply for jobs.”
These businesses and organizations all have one thing in common: the importance of people using their voices and exercising their right to vote. Although simple, they all advocate that every vote matters and can make a difference in the election’s outcome.
“Your vote is one of the tools in your toolkit,” Theisen said. “It's important to make use of it.”
