It is a common myth that young people are not politically active. But this year, voters between the ages of 18 and 29 turned out to the polls in record numbers. UHart students were among the millions of young voters who made their voices heard, thanks in part to the Hawks Vote campaign.
Hawks Vote educated, inspired, and energized students to help them exercise their right to vote. Staff from Office of Student Engagement and Inclusion registered students, guided them through the absentee ballot process, and answered questions throughout the semester. On election day, they transported more than 100 students to polling locations, absentee ballot drop boxes, and same-day voter registration sites.
Lisa Coté, s,”Assistant Director of Engagement, Support, and DevelopmentMany of our students were very eager to vote and were strategic about whether to vote in their home states or locally to campus. We also talked to students about races other than the presidential race and the importance of local elections.
Hawks Vote also benefited from the work of three student ambassadors: Benedicta Kwarteng ‘23, an international studies major; Grace Lewis '22, a double major in politics and government and psychology; and Jayden Rameikas ‘22, who is majoring in political science and international studies.
“The ambassadors were so knowledgeable about the election because of their classes in their majors,” says Coté. “They were able to educate me!”