With Election Day approaching on Tuesday, November 8, staff at the Center for Civic Engagement are striving to expand voting engagement efforts on Illinois State University’s campus this fall.
Harriet Steinbach, assistant director for the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE), and Joshua Crockett, graduate assistant for civic education and political engagement, are primarily focused on promoting voter registration, education, and turnout.
The CCE encourages students, faculty, and staff to utilize their voter guide, which is a primary resource with links to key voter information including sample ballots, details on candidates running, descriptions of positions being elected, and how to cast a ballot. While online voter registration is now closed in Illinois, Steinbach said individuals can register to vote when they go to their local polling place.
During Illinois’ general Election Day, November 8, polling place hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. All students registered in McLean County (except Bloomington residents) are eligible to vote at the Bone Student Center, Brown Ball Room. Voters also have options to vote by mail or vote early.
In terms of education, Steinbach and Crockett said one of the most popular CCE programs is Deliberative Dialog, which encourages healthy discussion among a group of people surrounding current political or social issues.
The CCE also utilizes various promotional resources and events to educate Redbirds about voting. They offer informational presentations delivered by Crockett or one of six CCE voter engagement interns. Presentations can range from 5 to 75 minutes and are delivered in classes, registered student organization (RSO) meetings, and department meetings. They cover a range of topics but usually target general voter information and the importance of voting.
Additionally, the CCE is promoting voter engagement through printed pieces posted in residence halls, apartments, academic buildings, and tables on the quad.
“It’s the idea that you’re getting the messages in a lot of different places in a lot of different ways,” said Crockett.
This fall, the CCE is sponsoring promotional events such as cookouts on the quad with the Student Government Association, zero waste tailgating with the Office of Sustainability, a banner making workshop at University Galleries, and a political movie night at Braden Auditorium.
The CCE is also participating in two national voting initiatives: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge and Voter Friendly Campus. The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge is based on voter rate data and student turnout. The Voter Friendly Campus is a commitment to voting and what Illinois State as a campus is doing to be voter friendly.
“It’s important to debunk this myth that students don’t vote, students don’t care, students aren’t engaged in their communities and country because they are,” said Crockett.
In 2020, Illinois State University had a student voter turnout of 64.8%, nearly in line with the national turnout of 66.8%, which was the highest voter turnout of the 21st century.
“If students can build a habit of voting when they are in college, then they’re building the skills so that it becomes a habit, and they can become a lifelong voter,” said Steinbach.
In agreement, Crockett said, “Not only ISU students, but students across the state can shape any election, because when students show up and share their stories, people start to listen, and policies start to change.”
