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VWU Celebrates Vote Early Day
Students encourage campus community to make their voices heard
University News | October 26, 2023
Executive Director of VA21 Kate Slayton served as guest speaker for Virginia Wesleyan’s Vote Early Day event on October 26. Students gathered in the Marlin Grille for Slayton’s presentation on “The Importance of Your Vote.” She shared how young people can, and already do, have a significant impact on elections. Slayton provided information about upcoming elections in Virginia and encouraged students to be engaged citizens and advocate for issues important to them and the Commonwealth’s future.
Vote Early Day, a national, nonpartisan movement of media companies, businesses, nonprofits, election administrators, and creatives, focuses on ensuring that all Americans have the tools to vote early. VWU’s efforts in this regard are coordinated by Bethany Tsiaras, director of Civic Engagement and Service Learning.
“Virginia Wesleyan University encourages active and informed participation in American democracy,” noted Tsiaras. “Celebrating Vote Early Day allows us to ensure that our community has the tools to cast their ballots. We are committed to providing nonpartisan information to students, faculty and staff. We want our community to have the resources they need to vote.”
According to their website, Vote Early Day was founded by MTV as a civic holiday focused on helping every voter know how, where, and when they can vote early. Launched in the midst of the global pandemic, Vote Early Day became a critical resource to ensure no voter had to choose between their health and casting their ballot. In its first celebration, Vote Early Day attracted 134 premier partners and 2,700 general partners from every state in the nation. More than 3,000,000 voters cast their ballots on Vote Early Day alone.
“Voting is a fundamental right, says Tsiaras, “but it is also a process that has deadlines and regulations, so we want our community to be well informed about the process.”
In addition to learning about Virginia elections from Slayton, students had opportunities to snap a photo with George Washington, play trivia and win prizes, and enjoy Halloween donuts and churros during the event.
“Voting creates pressure for politicians to create and maintain change,” said Christopher Mercer-Garrett, VWU student and Democracy Fellow with the Campus Vote Project, “especially to fulfill their obligations to the people. Students should know that voting is crucial not only for selecting a candidate they believe will meet their needs but to hold officeholders responsible to their duties. We should continue to vote even if our candidates do not win elections, because regardless of who is in the Office of President, Congress and state positions, they still have to serve everyone!”
Learn more about Wesleyan Engaged and Virginia Wesleyan’s 2023-2024 Voter Friendly Campus Designation.