SIUE Encourages Civic Engagement with Voter Registration Initiative

SIUE Encourages Civic Engagement with Voter Registration Initiative

September 24, 2024, 8:43 PM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is leading a campus-wide effort to make voter registration easier for students, faculty, and staff. The Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub (K-Hub) is spearheading the initiative, providing resources to ensure that the SIUE community can register or update their voting status ahead of the 2024 election.

Ashley Jones, Community Engagement Coordinator at SIUE, explained that the Hub's staff members have taken on the role of Deputies of Registrars to support this effort.

"We have four Deputies of Registrars on staff: myself, Elizabeth Delaney, Linda Eilerman, and Adana Robinson," said Jones. "Our goal is to make it easier for students to register or update their voting status, and to provide reliable voting information."

One of the primary objectives of the initiative is to make the registration process as simple as possible. Jones and her team have found that registering to vote in Illinois is straightforward, with minimal requirements.

"I was surprised by how easy it is to register," Jones shared. "You don't have to claim a political party, and a registrant only needs to be a U.S. citizen, a resident of their current address for at least 30 days before the election, and have two forms of ID. It's really accessible for everyone."

To ensure fairness and accountability, each Registrar takes an annual oath, promising to uphold the U.S. and Illinois Constitutions while ensuring that voter registration is accessible to all members of the SIUE community.

"We swear to do our jobs without discrimination and to assist people with their civic duty," Jones said.

SIUE's voter registration efforts are part of a larger national movement-the All In Campus Democracy Challenge, a nonpartisan initiative that encourages colleges and universities to boost civic engagement and voter participation. SIUE has been a member of the initiative since 2016, and this year, the K-Hub has made it a priority to extend its outreach.

"I'm new to this role and the challenge, and this will be my first year as a co-chair," said Jones. "Along with Laurie Rice from the Department of Political Science and Elizabeth Delaney, associate director for Student Leadership and Governance, we've developed a plan that includes voter registration events, educational opportunities and social media campaigns to encourage civic participation."

Jones highlighted the collaboration with various campus groups and external organizations, such as Athletics, the NAACP and the League of Women Voters to promote civic engagement.

"It's exciting to see the entire campus take part in this initiative. Different departments and student organizations are stepping up to create their own voter registration programs, like last week's panel on the Black collegiate vote and registration opportunities at our soccer and volleyball games."

As the 2024 election approaches, SIUE is setting ambitious goals for both voter registration and participation.

"We're aiming for a registration rate of over 80% by November 2024," Jones said. "In 2022, we had a rate of 75.1%, so we're hoping to push that higher while also increasing our voter turnout rate by at least three percentage points from the 2020 election."

To help students and staff stay on top of key election deadlines, the K-Hub has posted important dates for voter registration, absentee ballots and early voting. These dates can also be found on the Madison County Clerk's website.

Early Voting
Madison County Clerk's Office
Thursday, Sept. 26-Monday, Nov. 4

Last Day to Register to Vote In-person
Tuesday, Oct. 8

Last Day to Register to Vote Online
Sunday, Oct. 20

Grace Period Registration and Voting
Madison County Clerk's Office
Wednesday Oct. 9-Monday, Nov. 4

Early Voting at SIUE Morris University Center Willow Room
For Madison County
Wednesday, Oct. 30-31 and Nov. 1

Absentee Ballot Request Deadlines
Online: Thursday, Oct. 31
Post Received: Thursday, Oct. 31
In-Person Request: Monday, Nov. 4

Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
Postmarked on or Before Election Day and Received by Tuesday, Nov. 19

Jones is passionate about making sure that the right to vote is accessible to qualified members of the campus landscape, including students, retirees, educators and campus visitors.

"We're making sure everyone at SIUE knows how, when, and where to vote," said Jones. "It's our mission to ensure every eligible voter has a voice."

With early voting starting in late September at the Madison County Clerk's office, and SIUE's own early voting site opening at the Morris University Center in late October, there will be plenty of opportunities for the campus community to participate in the democratic process. The 2024 General Election takes place Tuesday, Nov. 5.

PHOTO: K-Hub Civil Engagement Calendar