Royals Vote at Scranton

Nonpartisan voter registration drives, political dialogues, a prayer service and even election day coffee, donuts, cookies and transportation to Scranton's polling site were among the efforts organized by the Royals Vote initiative to encourage student participation in this year's Presidential Election.

In addition to the Royals Vote initiative and prior to election day, professors in Scranton's Political Science Department spoke about the election in numerous news outlets, including Professor Jean Harris, Ph.D., who participated Pennsylvania Cable Network panel discussion hosted at the University, and, most recently, JoyAnna Hopper, Ph.D., who discussed early voting data with WNEP-TV reporter and Scranton graduate Joe Kohut '12.

Also, continuing a long tradition at Scranton, the College Democrats and the College Republicans jointly held a watch party for the Presidential Debate. They also organized a debate between members of the two student clubs.

Scranton's successful Royals Vote efforts, this year and in previous elections attracted the attention of national media outlets. Julie Schumacher Cohen, assistant vice president for Community Engagement and Government Affairs at the University, discussed Scranton's efforts in an Inside Higher Education article about student voting, and wrote about Royals Vote and other civic engagement efforts in the September/October issue of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities' Connections.

Diana Lozinger, Cranberry Township, graduate assistant for the University's Community Engagement Office, helped to organize A Prayer for the Nation on Election Eve on campus. Lozinger, who earned her bachelor's degree from the University in 2024 and is currently pursuing a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling, spoke at the prayer service along with Maria Stephen, Huntington Valley, president of Student Government, who is majoring in political science. Lauren Rivera, J.D., M.Ed., vice president for Student Life and dean of students; Daniel Cosacchi, Ph.D., vice president for Mission and Ministry; Daysi Carreto, assistant director, community and civic engagement; Michael O'Malley, director of liturgy and music; and Gretchen Van Dyke, Ph.D., associate professor of political science; also participated in the prayer service.

Fox 56 News reporter and Scranton graduate Samantha Durante '24 covered the prayer service.

On election day, the Royal Vote initiative arranged for transportation from campus to the polling location at Scranton High School throughout the day and celebrated the students who voted with a picture booth, stickers and cookies.

Celebrating their vote are, from left, University students Robbie Walker '24, Jersey City, New Jersey, a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in clinical and mental health counseling; Chanel Delgado, Norwich, Connecticut, a criminal justice and sociology double major; Amelia Alfano, Budd Lake, New Jersey, a criminal justice major; Ben Burman, Clifford Township, a biochemistry major; and Grace Slaght, Big Flats, New York, a counseling and human services major. Also pictured are, from left: Kyle Kennelly Jr., Huntington, New York, a political science major; and Frank McCann IV, Glenside, a counseling and human services major.

The Royals Vote initiative is a coalition of University of Scranton offices, departments and student clubs including: The Office of Community and Government Relations, Political Science Department, Ellacuria Initiative, Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service, Student Life and Student Government. Additional partners included the College Democrats, College Republicans, Political Science Club and Philosophy Society as well as the Division of Mission and Ministry.