'SUNY Votes' Initiative Launched

 

In support of greater student participation in the forthcoming state and federal elections this November, the SUNY Student Assembly- in partnership with the State University of New York- has launched a multi-pronged “SUNY Votes” Initiative.

The initiative has three primary components- promoting voter registration, informing students on where and how to vote, and sharing information on the races and candidates for statewide and legislative office that will appear on the ballot.

To promote voter registration, the Student Assembly has partnered with campus student governments to host on-campus voter registration events, where students can fill out the necessary paperwork to become registered voters.

Through many conversations with students, the Student Assembly learned that a key reason many students choose not to vote, even if they are registered, is a lack of information on the races and candidates on the ballot- particularly in midterm and off-year elections. Students need access to information on the responsibilities of the various elected offices on the ballot, and the biographies and platforms of the various candidates running for those offices, in order to make an informed choice in the voting booth.

The Student Assembly and SUNY have partnered with BallotReady, a non-partisan start-up, to create an exclusive online platform where SUNY Students can go through a sample ballot ahead of Election Day and learn about the races and candidates up this year. Students will also be given information through this SUNY Votes online platform, on where their polling location is, and how to request an absentee ballot.

“We have heard time and time again that young people do not turn out to vote- but I know for a fact that is not because they care less about the issues facing our state and nation,” said Michael Braun, President of the SUNY Student Assembly and Trustee on the SUNY Board. “Students want to be responsible voters, to be able to go to into the voting booth confident that they are making the right choices based on their values. Through our SUNY Votes Initiative, we will help students across our state make these hugely impactful decisions.”

The SUNY Votes Initiative will continue through Election Day 2018. 

Source: SUNY SA