In anticipation of the upcoming presidential election, many Villanovans are collaborating with “Let’s Vote ‘Nova” to share the importance of getting students registered to vote. These students have worked to spread their message across Villanova’s campus through speaking to classes, presenting to their student organizations and tabling in the Oreo. Many of the students involved in this effort share a common characteristic apart from being passionate about voter mobilization: they are in communication professor Dr. Allyson Levin’s Media and Politics class.
Levin has structured this upper-level communications course to work in tandem with “Let’s Vote ‘Nova,” a nonpartisan Villanovan organization which strives to get students to participate in the political process.
“Media and Politics students have been partnering with ‘Let’s Vote ‘Nova’ in several key areas,” Levin said. “The class is in sync with ‘Let’s Vote ‘Nova’s’ initiatives at important moments of the election– from registering to vote to getting students to the polls on Election Day.”
Levin noted that her students have received training on how to distribute important information about the voting process from Villanova staff who work in relevant offices, including the Office of Student Involvement and the Office of Government Relations and External Affairs. The information distributed from these key on-campus figures inform her students’ presentations to their peers.
One way Levin’s students have been spreading “Let’s Vote ‘Nova’s” message is through presentations to the student organizations in which they are a part. Junior Amber Werner, for example, chose to present about the importance of voter registration to her sorority, Chi Omega.
“I chose to discuss registering to vote to my sorority because I think it’s incredibly important that everyone, especially women, vote in this election,” Werner said. “Women’s rights and healthcare access will be greatly impacted by this election, and I wanted to make sure all women here at Villanova know how much their voice matters.”
Reflecting on the size of her audience compared to the number of students in a typical academic class, Werner appreciated the opportunity to speak with a bigger group of Villanovans.
“I really enjoyed being able to reach such a large organization,” she said. “It was incredible to know we potentially registered over one hundred new voters.”
Students also have had opportunities to present information regarding voter registration to a number of academic classes throughout the past few weeks. Junior Peyton Walker recently presented to a communication class and noted the group’s high level of engagement.
“People were super receptive [to the presentation], and the coolest part of the presentation was that it applies to everyone,” Walker said. “I think most people want to vote but don’t know where to start. The class was attentive and asked questions, so I take it the message was well received.”
When asked about the takeaways Walker hoped the class has from her visit, she emphasized the assistance available on campus to help students vote in this significant election.
“I hope the class remembers that there are so many resources to help them through the voting process, and that they should be proud to have this opportunity,” Walker said.
Students in Levin’s classes have participated in daily tabling efforts to boost the voter registration of Villanovans. Junior Sarah Nejame was one of the many students spreading “Let’s Vote ‘Nova’s” mission in the Oreo last week. Nejame noted how her tabling efforts eased the voter registration process for many students.
“We provided students with an empty copy of the voter registration form that we would aid them in filling out,” Nejame said. “We also provided a stamped envelope and information on how to address it. This allowed students to simply go to one of the on-campus mailrooms and drop off their voter registration without the added worry of figuring out how to mail it for themselves.”
In addition to simplifying the voter registration process for students, tabling efforts also served other important functions.
“The tabling gives students a resource for their questions, and overall promotes more voting,” she said. “Even just seeing the table on campus serves as a reminder to register. We had a few people pass by and say they didn’t have time to stop, but that the sight of the table reminded them that they needed to register.”
All of “Let’s Vote ‘Nova” and Levin’s efforts, through student presentations and tabling, aim to boost student voter registration and turnout at Villanova.
“I hope the Villanova community at large makes a habit out of voting and can see the connections between our commitment to service and the community in being civically engaged,” Levin said.
