about us
DESCRIPTION
Introduction to Campus Vote Project Dan Vicuna Campus Vote Project Coordinator Fair Elections Legal Network CampusVoteProject.org Twitter: @CampusVote. About Us. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Introduction to Campus Vote Project
Dan VicunaCampus Vote Project Coordinator
Fair Elections Legal Network
CampusVoteProject.orgTwitter: @CampusVote
ABOUT US
Campus Vote Project is a campaign to empower students and college administrators with the tools they need to reduce barriers to voting on college campuses.
The Problem
• 48.5% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 voted in 2008.• 67% of Americans 30 years old and above voted in 2008.
The Stereotypes
When it comes to politics, young people are…
• Lazy• Apathetic• Uninterested
THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE
• New voters
• Bureaucratic barriers: Two-thirds of college students between 18 and 24 years old who did not vote in 2010 cited lack of information about the process, confusion about residency rules, or scheduling problems.
• Rock the Vote Poll (2010): 83% of young adults stated that their generation has the power to change the country.
• CIRCLE: 87% of students who register to vote cast a ballot
Traditional Barriers Residency
Voter ID: Only an issue in certain states
Student registration/voting discouraged
Off-campus polling places
Insufficient resources to handle student voters
Poll workers unfamiliar with student issues
Myths
Attacks on Students’ Rights• New Hampshire:
– Attempt to redefine domicile to keep students from voting in college communities
– House Speaker : Young people “don’t have life experience, and they just vote their feelings.”
• Maine: Intimidating letters from SOS
• Texas:
– New voter ID law (struck down by Department of Justice)
– Concealed handgun permits OK, but student IDs are not OK
The Importance of Student Voices
• 35 states made cuts in FY 2012
• Examples
– 25% cut at University of Tennessee system
– 35% tuition increase at California community colleges to make up for cuts
• Since 2008, 9.5 million citizens have turned 18.
• Adults under 30: 24% of voting population
• Voting becomes a habit.
• Higher education budgets
HIGHER EDUCATION ACT
“The institution…will make a good faith effort to distribute a mail voter registration form, requested and received from the State, to each student enrolled in a degree or certificate program and physically in attendance at the institution, and to make such forms widely available to students at the institution.”
COLLEGES CAN DO MORE – FELN/AACRAO SURVEY
• 31% of respondents stated that they distributed voter registration forms electronically
• 35% of respondents said their school had a voter registration form link on their website
• 43% stated that they had distributed or made available hard copies
COLLEGES CAN DO MORE – FELN/AACRAO SURVEY
Voter registration information on school website
• Only 2% of universities with links to the voter registration form include an active prompt.
• More information: 14% provided instructions and 11% provided address
• 15% send the link around by email.
WHAT CAMPUS VOTE PROJECT OFFERS
• Toolkit: CampusVoteProject.org/Toolkit
• Technical support: FairElectionsNetwork.com/Resources
• Communications collaborationo Press releases and eventso Blogo Twitter: @CampusVoteo Facebook: Facebook.com/CampusVoteProject
o CVP Coordinator
SPECIFIC SOLUTIONS – CVP TOOLKIT
• Election Awareness Campaigns
• Voter Registration Blitz
• Integrating Voter Information into the School Website
• Establishing a Student Poll Worker Program
• Bringing a Polling Place to Campus
• Get ID! Tips for Making Sure Everyone has Voter ID
• Getting Students to Off-Campus Polling Places
• Creating a Lasting Campus Vote Structure
CVP TOOLKIT – ELECTION AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS
• Campus-wide emails
• Candidate forums and debates
• Non-partisan election rallies
• Classroom announcements
• Campus media
CVP TOOLKIT – ELECTION AWARENESS EXAMPLES
Central Michigan UniversityTurbotron commercial
Denison University Door hangersArt project
Eastern Michigan University Orange arm bandsClassroom visits
CVP TOOLKIT – VOTER REGISTRATION BLITZ
CVP TOOLKIT – INTEGRATING VOTER INFO INTO SCHOOL WEBSITE
Example: University of Wisconsin
CVP TOOLKIT – INTEGRATING VOTER INFO INTO SCHOOL WEBSITE
Pages that students frequently visit:
• Class registration
• Blackboard
• Textbook orders
CVP TOOLKIT – ESTABLISHING A STUDENT POLL WORKER PROGRAM
Why?:•Educational opportunity
•Shortage of poll workers means long lines.
• Average age of a poll worker is 72.
• Comfort with new voting technology and familiarity with issues that students face.
o Dorm locations and proof of residencyo Use of student IDs for voting
CVP TOOLKIT – ESTABLISHING A STUDENT POLL WORKER PROGRAM
Best Practices:• Professors, college staff are critical to recruitment. • Exceeded peer-to-peer recruiting goals.
• Fellows were drawn to program by belief in civic engagement and duty and that it would be a positive learning experience. Less interest in pay.
• Focus on social aspect of experience.
• Aim for in-person meetings with election officials. o More positive experience than for those who did online training.
CVP TOOLKIT – BRINGING A POLLING PLACE TO CAMPUS
• Small increase in distance makes a big difference in turnout
• Check state requirements
• Locations that are easy to get to on foot
• Available all day
• Early voting and Election Day
CVP TOOLKIT – GETTING STUDENTS TO THE POLLS
• Identify the Location of Student-Heavy Polling Places
• Transportation to the polls
• : Campus shuttles took students to off-campus polling locations. • Other options: public transportation, carpools
CVP TOOLKIT– GET ID! MAKING SURE STUDENTS HAVE THE ID THEY
NEED TO VOTE
CVP TOOLKIT – CREATING CHANGE THAT LASTS!
• Institutionalize relationships
• Build strong coalitions – Toolkit: “Build a Coalition”
• Develop new leaders
• Avoid summer drop-off
HOW TO’S AND TEMPLATES
• Advice and email templates for meeting with campus administrators and election officials
• Media Guide: How to Launch your Campaign
• How to Build a Coalition on Campus