Professors push voter registration
About 300 more students registered to vote on campus last week after information sessions were held the last 10 minutes of class Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 18 and 19.
Keith Anderson, the Dean of Students, talked about how important these in-class sessions were for students who needed guidance on how to register in a more personalized way. He mentioned that when there are a lot of students registered locally, the impact in local counsel is even greater.
“I think we did a good job, and we registered some more than other initiatives. It also gave students the opportunity to do it in a more control environment than when they’re sitting in the Vines center,” Anderson said. “It may be hard or may not be the time for people to decide if they want to vote locally or maintain their voting privileges back home. By doing it in a closed setting, such as a classroom, they can get more information on how to fill it out.”
The high number of students registered to vote has changed things in the past and Liberty hopes to keep doing so.
“When we engage young people earlier, politicians and legislators pay more attention,” Anderson said. “For example, the voter ID has been acceptable identification when previously it was the state identification. Collectively, having a strong voting voice gives us an opportunity to be heard by city leadership.”
The student body had positive reactions about the sessions.
“Liberty is doing a good job at letting the student body know how important an election can be and that it is our duty to care about the future of our nation,” Adam Dubbe, international business major, said.
Anderson had a town hall meeting at the Tower Theater at 4 p.m. yesterday.
“Certainly, it’s going to be an opportunity for students to express they’re experience,” Anderson said. “I’ve heard some positive feedback, and I believe there are about 300 students who registered.”
The deadline for registration on campus is Oct. 10 at 1 p.m. Students who still want to register may visit the registration tables at Green Hall, the Tilley Center and DeMoss Hall. The procedure consists of completing an application. The people at those tables will ensure that everything is filled out correctly and will turn it in to the registrar. Students will receive confirmation of their registration via email.
“My responsibility is to help them develop as a student and as a Christian citizen here in America. One of those privileges is being able to vote, and explaining to them how to do so and be part of that process is part of my job,” Anderson said. “That’s the benefit of having a republic society, that we get to choose our leaders, and to be part of that process, you first have to be registered to vote in order to select a good leader.”