Clubs prepare for elections
Liberty students become informed on the direct impact young adult voters can have
With the presidential election just around the corner, Liberty University’s clubs and students are gearing up to make this election count not only for campus but for the Lynchburg community.
“We as an institution do a great job by pushing (people) to vote and having the ability to even vote on campus,” Young Women of America Club President Savannah Berry said.
Berry said millennials emphasize certain issues when deciding who to vote for.
Vote — Students had the opportunity to vote in the Vines Center in previous elections. Photo credit: Leah Seavers
“We have a unique craving for justice in our society, but we always go to the quick-fix solution,” Berry said.
Jonah Athey, president of Liberty University’s chapter of the College Republicans, said Lynchburg is full of potential to make a difference in politics.
“There is a lot of energy in Lynchburg,” Athey said. “We can bring more attention with a lot of voters and swing the state of Virginia with it.”
To match the energy the Lynchburg area gives off, the university offers students opportunities to be engaged with the clubs that it offers. Besides Young Women of America and College Republicans, Liberty also offers others such as Ladies for Liberty and Stand with Israel.
Another topic emphasized throughout the clubs is the importance of voting and researching to make that vote. The assumption that one vote does not count is debated on Liberty’s campus.
“We want the students to know that voter registration does matter,” Athey said. “We have impacted many elections in the past, such as increasing Scott Garrett’s votes by almost 200 points on the campus voting site alone.”
Assistant Director of Programming at the Dean of Students Office Morgan Hanson has had a direct role in the various elections on campus. Her team has set up posters in the hallways, in the classrooms and other places around campus to promote registering to vote and other events on campus.
“We have organized voter registration drives and made sure the students are informed about the upcoming events,” Hanson said. “The clubs on campus have really done a good job about spreading the word as well as raising awareness and staying up to date on everything.”
The clubs want to emphasize telling students they have the power to swing elections and letting them know that their vote counts in the political sphere.
“When it comes to local government, Liberty students have to be informed because it will affect them the most,” Athey said. “For example, they have to read up on the agenda of each person on their position on meal tax and other similar topics.”
Through Young Women of America and College Republicans, the students have attended events such as debate watch parties, informed students to vote, and gotten them connected with the community.
Students are getting involved with local government by hosting galas and working with different organizations to emphasize that politics does not start at the national level. For example, Young Women of America have worked at the local pregnancy center as volunteers, raised money for the Wounded Warrior Project, and held a March for Life Lobby day with Concerned Women of America in Washington D.C.
“The gala that we put on last year was able to raise around $6,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project, so we hope to continue that this year,” Berry said.
Even the students who have no interest in politics or do not pay attention feel that they are well-informed just from campus events.
“I do not have time to keep up with politics, but with the posters around campus and the speakers in Convocation, I get the gist of what is going on,” Thomas Kennedy, a junior at Liberty, said.
Hanson said that even if a student is not from Virginia but does consider voting in a local election, there are many advantages. By knowing they have a role and can make a difference, voting lets them better the Lynchburg area during their time here.
“The Dean of Students Office really encourages students to vote in Lynchburg because driving back and forth from home can be lengthy, and many of the laws being passed impact college students,” Hanson said.
Several students expressed the advantage of having opportunities available to them on campus. Kennedy said it made it convenient, and it felt like he was doing something that was needed.
“From what I can tell, not many colleges have as much presence when it comes to politics and elections as Liberty,” Kennedy said. “Especially with the recent national media coverage on Liberty, we are becoming a place that can stand up for a lot of different things.”
Students such as Kennedy have the opportunity to get plugged into organizations that match their views. Whether that is College Republicans or the Pre-Law Society, students can get involved with the help and support of Hanson and her team. Therefore, the upcoming presidential election will prove how involved the student body is in the future of this country.
“I think the presidential election will have significant impact on our community through the turnout we predict that we will have and the preparations that we have in place for this year,” Hanson said.
Hanson provided dates and deadlines for students to keep in mind throughout the election year. May 3 is a local election, where students will be able to impact the local policies and politics. Oct. 17 will be the last day for students to register to vote or submit a change of address for the Nov. 8 presidential election.
Students can sign up for election reminders and can register to vote through liberty.turbovote.org. If students want to volunteer on Election Day and earn CSER, or have questions regarding voting, they can visit Green Hall 1830 or email vote@liberty.edu.
Stotmeister is a guest writer.