Eastern Connecticut State University will host a series of events throughout the month of October aimed at inspiring student participation in the 2024 presidential election. Kicking off Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. with a panel of political experts in the Fine Arts Instructional Center Concert Hall, the “Voting Matters” extravaganza intends to grow voter registration and turnout among college students, a historically underrepresented group in elections.

“The purpose of this event is to encourage active participation in the election in a nonpartisan way, regardless of students’ political opinions ... To get people aware of the importance of the election no matter how they choose to vote,” said Emiliano Villanueva, business administration professor and Voting Matters committee member.

For most traditionally aged college students (Generation Z), this year’s election is their first opportunity to vote for president of the United States. “I'm thrilled that the faculty have created these special presentations for the campus community to attend,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Michelle Delaney. “Our Student Government Association and the NACCP are organizing voter registration drives, and other student organizations are planning exciting events surrounding the election as well. As young people, there is nothing more important as a citizen of democracy than to cast your vote.”

The preliminary schedule includes the following events:

• Sept. 30: Voting Matters expert panel, 7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Instructional Center Concert Hall, with Harvard University Professor of Government Stephanie Ternullo, Wesleyan University Professor of Government Erika Franklin and Jonathan Wharton, political science professor at Southern Connecticut State University.
• Oct. 1: Vice-presidential debate watch party, 9 p.m. in Communication Building room 107, hosted by the Political Science Club and ECSU College Democrats.
• Oct. 2–4: A variety of open lectures concerning election-related civics and political science topics. See website for details.
• Oct. 1–4: "Events Under Tents" symposium in Webb Lawn, featuring representatives from the Democratic and Republican Parties, voter registration, poetry readings, a dramatic retelling of the Declaration of Independence and more.
• Oct. 15-20: “The Ocoee Project,” a theatrical production exploring the events of the 1920 Ocoee massacre, in which more than 50 Black citizens were murdered following the passage of the 19th Amendment increasing voter rights.
• Student art exhibit (details coming)
• Additional events to be announced

Additional event details will soon be released. Information will also be posted on the Voting Matters website.

“Voting is our one opportunity to guarantee that our voices are counted,” said Nicole Krassas, political science professor and chair of the Voting Matters committee. “By helping students register to vote, encouraging them to explore the current candidates running as well as the issues of the day ... we are helping to prepare students to exercise their rights ... something we hope will encourage them to participate not just this year, but also in years to come.”

Eastern’s Voting Matters extravaganza is organized and sponsored by the Department of Political Science, Philosophy and Geography, Department of Business Administration, Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Criminology and Social Work, Department of Art and Art History, Department of History and Student Government Association.