Make your voice heard!
Make a difference in your community by participating the in the democratic process.
2024 Election Season events
August
Voter Registration Table at Academic Fair
Thursday, Aug. 22 | 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Wilkins Athletics & Events Center
Stop by the voter registration table to register to vote or check your voter registration status.
Voter Registration Table at Student Involvement Fair
Monday, Aug. 26 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Brandt Student Center, Leadership Lawn
Stop by the voter registration table to register to vote or check your voter registration status.
September
Voter Engagement Table
Wednesday, Sept. 4 | Noon-2 p.m. | Brandt Student Center
Visit our table to learn about voter engagement and our upcoming deliberative dialogue event, “Navigating Your Political Identity.”
National Voter Registration Day & Constitution Day
Tuesday, Sept. 17 | 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Main Campus
Celebrate two civic holidays by stopping by one a voter registration table, registering to vote, and picking up a free pocket constitution! Our community partners, including the NAACP, League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women, will assist with voter registration. Participate in the Registration Race during the day by picking up a ticket and traveling around campus to all of the registration tables to learn about our community partners. Participants who complete the race can cash in their tickets for a free pizza party in the Brandt Student Center, Game Room starting at 3:00 p.m.
Text Your Friends to Vote Early Event
Thursday, Sept. 19 | 5:30 p.m. | Brandt Student Center, Room 118
Join us for food and fun activities as we text our friends to let them know they can vote early starting tomorrow!
Virginia Early In-Person Voting Begins
Friday, Sept. 20 | 5:30 p.m.
Virginia’s early in-person voting begins and is available through Saturday, Nov. 2. Visit winchesterva.gov for local voting locations and hours.
Navigating Your Political Identity
Thursday, Sept. 26 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Brandt Student Center, Room 118
Our deliberative dialogue team has created a thoughtful series of discussion questions to help you explore your thoughts and feelings about the upcoming election. All are welcome to participate in this nonpartisan conversation that aims to be inclusive of all viewpoints and political ideologies.
October
Voter Education Week Table
Monday, Oct. 7; Wednesday, Oct. 9; Friday, Oct. 11 | 1-3 p.m.| Brandt Student Center
Visit our table this week to learn all about voter registration (day one), information about the candidates (day two) and how and when to vote, including how to request a mail-in ballot (day three).
How to Navigate the Election as a Community Member
Thursday, Oct. 17 | 6:30-8:30 p.m.| Brandt Student Center, Room 118
Our second dialogue in the series focuses on understanding different perspectives on hot topics and finding common ground with one another. All are welcome to participate in this nonpartisan conversation which aims to be inclusive of all viewpoints and political ideologies.
Why Your Vote Matters
Thursday, Oct. 24 | 5-7 p.m. | Brandt Student Center, Room 118
Our deliberative dialogue team is providing an opportunity for you to share your thoughts, ideas and questions about voting and why it’s important. Join us for our third dialogue in this series. Register online using this Google Form.
National Vote Early Day
Tuesday, Oct. 29 | 5:30-7:30 p.m.| Brandt Student Center, Ferrari Room
The Center for Civic Engagement is offering rides to the polls (via our own CCE SUber) at the Winchester Office of Elections throughout the day on Vote Early Day for those who wish to vote early in person. Sign up to reserve your ride! For those voting by mail from their home address, stop by the Brandt Student Center, Ferrari Room between 5:30-7:30 p.m. for help completing and mailing your ballot. CCE staff will assist students in completing and mailing their ballot and making their voting plan for Election Day on November 5.
November
Election Day Celebration
Tuesday, Nov. 5 | 2-5 p.m. | Sarah’s Glen
Celebrate your right to vote with a cookout, games, free t-shirts and tie-dye, music, and more! Still need to vote? Hop on a golf cart with one of our Strong Women of SU for a ride to the polling place!
What Happens Next?
Thursday, Nov. 14 | 6:30-8:30 p.m.| Brandt Student Center, Room 118
Our post-election follow-up dialogue is a chance to explore next steps, like advocating for groups who are marginalized, serving your community and planning for the next election.
Campus Compact identifies six core components of educating students for democracy:
- Student voting: With a goal of increasing the proportion of college students who vote in local, state, and national elections;
- Democracy in principle and practice: With a goal of increasing student understanding of the underpinnings of democracy and the workings of democratic institutions;
- Deliberation for a shared future: With a goal of increasing students’ capacity to listen respectfully to the ideas of others and engage in both constructive and critical discussion of public questions;
- Media fact and fiction: With a goal of increasing the capacity of students to distinguish reliable from unreliable political information;
- Student leadership for democracy: With a goal of building a network of student leaders committed to democratic renewal; and
- Teaching for democracy: With a goal of preparing faculty and staff members to develop and execute high-quality courses and programs focused on democratic engagement.