CSB+SJU urges students to vote
CSB+SJU plans to host events in preparation for National Voter Registration Day
As election season ramps up, CSB+SJU prepare for National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday. The National Voter Registration Day website defines the day as “a nonpartisan civic holiday dedicated to celebrating our democracy.” CSB+SJU will use the day to host a slew of events aimed at encouraging students to register to vote.
CSB students can register to vote through an absentee ballot based on their home address, or they can vote in St. Joseph by registering through their campus address at CSB or if they rent in the city of St. Joseph. Registering as a resident in St. Joseph allows students to vote in local elections within St. Joseph. SJU students can register as Collegeville residents but cannot vote in lSt Joseph elections.
“The important thing is to choose where you will register and then follow through with voting” said Jody Terhaar, CSB’s Dean of Students and a member of the CSB+SJU Votes Coalition, via email. CSB+SJU will have tabling to provide information on how to register to vote in Gorecki Fireside from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sexton Bus Stop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“The CSB+SJU Votes Coalition has a goal of reaching 90% participation among students for the November election,” Terhaar said.
Other events on campus include button-making in the Clemens Library Maker Space from 11 a.m.to 3 p.m., snacks throughout the day, and a visit with MN Secretary of State Steve Simon. He will be on campus throughout the day to talk to students and do an interview with media later in the day.
Terhaar believes it is important to participate in voting.
“At both the local and national level, elections impact our everyday life and affect things like jobs, healthcare, taxes, crime, immigration, etc. Voting and encouraging others to vote means standing up for the issues you care about by electing the people who have your best interest at heart,” Terhaar said.
Some people will choose not to vote or find it pointless. Terhaar says it is important to welcome those who are uncertain in voting to learn more about it. The events will welcome conversation on voting for students to understand what each aspect of it entails.
“There are so many ways that voting makes a difference. It is the involvement of ordinary citizens that determines who will lead and what the people are saying the priorities should be. None of us will get everything we want and may disagree vehemently with those who hold different points of view, but the more voices that are heard, the better we will be,” Terhaar said. “Engaging in conversation, exploring different ideas [and] listening to different points of view can actually help people re-engage as voters.”