Student organization touts importance of voting
PLATTSBURGH — Plattsburgh Votes, a non-partisan, student-led voter engagement organization at SUNY Plattsburgh, prepared the student body for the 2024 election season by promoting voter registration, early voting and offering students transportation to polling locations.
"We are trying to get as many students voting as possible. For many students at SUNY Plattsburgh, this is our first presidential election that we can vote in, so we want to make sure everyone who is eligible to vote is registered and ready to go," Nadia Potts, Plattsburgh Votes intern and a public relations major, said.
Plattsburgh Votes is a part of SUNY Plattsburgh's participation in the All-In Campus Democracy Challenge, which supports campus endeavors to maximize student participation in elections.
According to Dr. Daniel Lake, associate professor of Political Science, civic engagement is not only important for democracy, but also in helping college students succeed.
"The other reason it is important to improve student civic engagement, including voting, is because it helps them succeed in college. The American Association of Colleges and Universities has studied the issue and concluded that improving civic learning and engagement helps students do better in college in a number of ways," Lake said.
"Voting is critically important for democracy, both as an expression of our preferences for who governs us and how and to determine who holds elective office. Representative democracy only works when citizens vote, and in large numbers."
According to Angelina Livingston, also a Plattsburgh Votes intern, another goal of the club is to "inform Plattsburgh State students on the importance of voting," and "realize the power that they hold."
"The voting power of our age bloc, 18-25, is a formidable force that makes up nearly one fifth of the electorate. Our voices matter. We are voting for our future," she said.
Students may also lack the information or resources to locate and travel to the correct polling place, whether during the early voting period or on Election Day itself.
The SUNY Plattsburgh Student Association runs a free campus shuttle that picks up students outside of the Angell College Center, and the route ends at the Clinton County Government Center after several interim stops.
In partnership with the Students Learn Students Vote organization, Plattsburgh Votes also distributed voucher codes for free Lyft rides that students could redeem to get to the polls.
"Make sure you are registered. The deadline to register in New York for this election has passed, but many people we talked to weren't sure if they were registered to vote at all. Most, if not all, of the information related to the voting process is online, so don't be afraid to look up how to register, get your absentee ballot, etc., Everything is accessible," Potts said.
For weeks prior to the voter registration deadline, Plattsburgh Votes representatives conducted tabling sessions and class visits in order to register students to vote and help them request absentee ballots.
"Contrary to popular narratives, the data show that today's young people are actually quite interested in civic issues and inclined to vote, but they sometimes don't because of practical hurdles," Medeiros said.
"This means we have to do everything we can to remove these hurdles and help students fulfill their intentions to vote."
During the early voting period, Plattsburgh Votes interns held what they called, "voting office hours," in dorm lobbies and campus dining halls.
"We also know that anything from peers is generally more effective. Hearing this stuff from professors or other more adult figures might make them less motivated to listen," Medeiros said.
Students had the opportunity to ask about registration, polling locations, absentee ballots and other voting process related questions.
"The goal of Plattsburgh Votes is to increase voter registration and participation among students at the university. We aim to educate students about the importance of voting and help them navigate the voting process, ensuring they have the resources they need to make their voices heard," Iskita Gurung, an intern and international student, said.
"As an international student, I can't vote, but I feel excited to support my friends who are voting for the first time. I see it as a powerful experience that can empower them and shape their communities. It's a significant milestone, and I'm proud to be part of a movement that encourages others to engage in the process."
Livingston said there has been a lot of "negative," rhetoric with the United States' political climate.
"I have noticed more and more young people claiming that their vote won't change anything, but this is not the case and I want to spread a positive message. This election, and all elections, extends beyond the presidential race; it encompasses local elections that directly impact our communities," she said.
"It's also an opportunity to address outdated laws, such as Proposition 1 in New York. I think it's beyond crucial to be informed rather than turning a blind eye. Ignorance is not bliss in this situation."
Plattsburgh Votes also emphasized the importance of participation in local elections as well.
"Arguably, local elections are the most important. These are the people that will affect your day-to-day life, and you have the opportunity to choose how it's affected," Livingston said.
Plattsburgh Votes is one of a rapidly growing number of nonpartisan organizations who have joined Vote Early Day to empower their campuses.
"If you are eligible to vote, you should always make an effort to vote. Every election matters, every election has an impact on society, and voting is one way to make the changes you want to see happen," Potts said.
