Introduction to Campus Vote Project Dan Vicuna Campus

Introduction to Campus Vote Project Dan Vicuna Campus Vote Project Coordinator Fair Elections Legal Network Campus. Vote. Project. org Twitter: @Campus. Vote

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 n Residency n Voter ID: Only an issue in certain states n Student registration/voting discouraged n Off-campus polling places n Insufficient resources to handle student voters n Poll workers unfamiliar with student issues n 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 • Since 2008, 9. 5 million citizens have turned 18. • Adults under 30: 24% of voting population • Voting becomes a habit. • Higher education budgets • • 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

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: Campus. Vote. Project. org/Toolkit • Technical support: Fair. Elections. Network. com/Resources • Communications collaboration o Press releases and events o Blog o Twitter: @Campus. Vote o Facebook: Facebook. com/Campus. Vote. Project 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 University Turbotron commercial Denison University Door hangers Art project Eastern Michigan University Orange arm bands Classroom visits

CVP TOOLKIT – VOTER REGISTRATION BLITZ • Short and intense voter registration period • Freshman move-in and orientation • Hand out forms: door-to-door in dorms, class, dining halls • Display paper cards in frequently visited areas • Student voting coalition • National Voter Registration Day: September 25 • University of Oregon: Students obtained access to residence halls at pre-agreed times to conduct voter registration activities.

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 of a poll worker is 72. • Comfort with new voting technology and familiarity with issues that students face. o Dorm locations and proof of residency o 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 • What is required in your state? • Encourage your school to issue ID documents. • Oberlin College: Zero balance utility bills as voter ID

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

Dan Vicuna, CVP Coordinator (202) 331 -0114 dvicuna@campusvoteproject. org www. Campus. Vote. Project. org Twitter: @Campus. Vote