Ohio Northern University will host several events this fall to encourage students to become more involved in the presidential election as informed voters. The efforts are part of the nationwide Voter Friendly Campus initiative, which strives to encourage student registration and voting, especially in the Nov. 8 presidential election.

The endeavor is led by national groups Campus Vote Project and NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. The project seeks to help students overcome barriers to participating in the political process and involves approximately 1 million students at around 80 campuses.

“Historically, college students have a relatively low rate of voter participation,” said Robert Alexander, ONU professor of political science. “That seems ironic since many of these students are discussing politics, both inside and outside of the classroom, and they are usually first-time voters in the presidential elections. However, since college students often attend a university away from home, and sometimes in another state, they face challenges such as registering to vote in another area and voting early or as absentee voters. They often do not know how the process works.”

“Much of what we are doing as part of the Voter Friendly Campus initiative is help our students become involved in the political process as informed, engaged voters,” Alexander said.

At ONU, the initiative is student-led, with political science students taking a lead, particularly those involved with the College Democrats and College Republicans.

A student-led debate, featuring the positions of presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 25 in room 151 of the Hakes-Pierstorf Family Pharmacy Education Center, which is connected to the Robertson-Evans Pharmacy Building. The event will be preceded by light refreshments at 7 p.m. Political science students will represent the policy views of each candidate, with an emphasis on health care policy. Seth Ferguson, a sophomore political science major from Mansfield, Ohio, will represent the Republicans, and Derek Price, a sophomore political science major from Howell, N.J., will articulate the Democrats’ perspective. Samantha Howe, assistant professor of political science, will serve as moderator.

“While many individuals have complained about the lack of substantive discussion on issues of policy, this will offer an opportunity to remedy that,” Alexander said. “This is a great opportunity for ONU students to study and articulate the candidates’ positions.”

Also, in the spirit of community service, ONU students have helped Ada High School students, some of whom are 18 years old and eligible to vote, learn about the issues and register to vote. Additionally, the topic of this year’s Social Studies Day focused on campaigns and elections. Nearly 60 local high school students heard from faculty on topics such as using GIS (geographic information system) as a predictive campaign tool, the role of third parties and political violence in presidential campaigns. 

Throughout fall, the department hosted debate “watch parties,” in which students have gathered to watch and discuss the goings-on of the debates. The newly renovated Bear Cave and the Library have been great venues to attract students from across campus to these events.

As a culminating event, an election “watch party” will be held as the results roll in beginning at 7 p.m. on Nov. 8 at The Inn at Ohio Northern in conference rooms 1 and 2. Snacks will be provided.

“In all, these events are designed to help get students actively involved in the political process. Many of the issues are important to them and will impact their futures. It seems appropriate that college students would take the lead in something that occurs only every four years yet has lasting impact in shaping their future,” Alexander said.

Participating students recognize the value of these efforts.

“I believe it is important to have a program on campus like this because we are providing a valuable resource for students,” said Dexter Ridgway, a senior political science major from Bryan, Ohio. “It is often difficult for students to find the contacts or time to gain information about registration, absentee and early voting. Campuses are diverse and have students from all over the country who are unable to vote due to their being registered in another location.”

“Young voters often feel indifferent to voting, but we want to make it known that every vote matters. Look at what happened in Florida in 2000, when President Bush won Florida by only 500 votes, which is a fraction of the ONU student population,” Ridgway said.