In a space known for political rallies, IU’s Political and Civic Engagement program took to Dunn Meadow on Wednesday afternoon for a nonpartisan Walk2Vote celebration of the first day of early voting.
“We want to do something to get students to engage practically in the political world and public life more generally,” PACE director Sandra Shapshay said.
From noon to 2 p.m., music, food and speakers drew curious onlookers to find out more about the early voting process.
Afterward, PACE led a group of about 25 students to the Seventh Street polling location to place their vote, Shapshay said.
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton was the first to speak at the Dunn Meadow kickoff party.
He began his speech with what he said were “three of the most important words in the English language,” the beginning of the United States Constitution: “We the People.”
Hamilton said he often votes early to ensure nothing stops him from casting his ballot by the time the polls close on Election Day. He encouraged IU students to vote early and avoid standing in long lines Nov. 8.
Echoing the words of Thomas Jefferson, he said America is not a government of the majority but a government of the majority who participate.
For Hamilton, students’ votes are a way for them to enact change. Even if they aren’t familiar with every candidate on the ballot, he said they should still support the ones they know.
“Voting is like a muscle,” Hamilton said. “It’s like making sure you don’t get flabby and out of shape.”
In the 2012 presidential election, only 41 percent of IU’s eligible voters casted a ballot, and only 9 percent participated in the 2014 midterm, Shapshay said.
She said she hopes Walk2Vote and IU’s partnership with the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, a nonpartisan organization that encourages colleges to become politically involved, will increase students’ voter turnout rate.
“Our aim is to celebrate this precious right,” Shapshay said.
Any student who was unable to vote Wednesday can still participate in Walk2Vote. PACE will have a group leave from the Sample Gates at noon the next three Wednesdays, Shapshay said.
Local politicians stopped in at the event to reach out to potential voters and encourage them to vote.
Shelli Yoder, the Democratic nominee for Indiana’s 9th congressional district, said she feels it is important for young millennials to realize what is at stake in this election.
In addition to their own futures, college voters are also helping shape the world for the futures of people like Yoder’s three young children, she said.
For Yoder, events like Walk2Vote are important because they offer her the opportunity to form a relationship with potential voters, which she said helps people feel more connected to the election process.
Every vote counts at the congressional level, Yoder said, and losing by a margin of four or even 100 votes is enough to teach candidates the potential of a few voters.
“(Students should) run for office, and then they’ll find out how important their vote is,” Yoder said.
Yoder said students should vote for people with good intentions and an active desire to serve in the government.
“Our government is made up of people,” Yoder said. “It is ours.”
Nelson Shaffer, the Republican Monroe County Commissioner candidate, already voted by the time he came to talk with students Wednesday.
“I’m glad to see students out here paying attention,” he said.
For the first day of voting, he said he was surprised at how busy the polls were, but he understands the effect this election cycle has had on voters.
“I think there’s a spirit afoot in this country that a lot of people are really motivated to vote, one way or another,” Shaffer said.
