On Nov. 5, Doane’s Diversity Equity Inclusion, DEI, hosted a Voting Day celebration stand at the lakeside. The purpose of the event was to celebrate the election and our country’s democracy. Students were able to get candy, write what democracy means to them, receive stickers, and talk to DEI members about any questions they had regarding voting and the elections. That same evening, there was a presidential trivia game with prizes for the winning team, along with a chance to win more prizes from a raffle drawing.
Democracy is a system of government ruled by the people, for the people and it is a right we all possess, making the celebration all the more meaningful. When asked, “What does the opportunity to vote mean to you?” students anonymously replied with responses such as “A chance to make a difference” and “It means having the potential to make and see changes happen in our country.”
Although voting is a right that many have, barriers can get in the way. For college students specifically, one of the obstacles to voting is that “college students don’t plan ahead; they don’t register or get mail-in ballots,” according to Jaden Hilkemann, Director of the CAPE project and member of DEI. This is especially challenging when students live in different states.
It’s important to keep these barriers in mind and plan ahead for voting because it’s essential for young students to vote. “All students are the future, and a missed vote is a missed opportunity,” Hilkemann said.
Students often lack confidence in who they vote for and have limited knowledge with little time to research candidates. Many online resources are available to help students identify candidates who support their beliefs, and having conversations with DEI staff can also provide guidance.
As students, we all have different views and backgrounds, but it’s important to recognize “how powerful the vote is, how amazing it is to live in a democracy where we can vote, and that no matter what happens, we can come together as a Doane community and find similarities,” according to Hilkemann.
