- Encourage faculty and staff members to discuss incorporate the importance of voting at least once during the semester
- Incentivize students to register and vote by offering extra credit points
- Send out email reminders to students before registration periods end and when early voting begins
- Reiterate via email, Twitter, or mobile alert where students can vote on and before Election Day
- Invite engaging speakers and guests to come to campus to generate enthusiasm about voting and elections
- Include voter registration tables at orientation and the First-Look Fair as well as at Debate Watch Parties
- Urge students to use the Toolkit as a resource via Canvas, social media, mobile alert, and email
Sunday, December 4, 2016
A Message to the University
Borrowing suggestions and input from other universities, our group is working round-the-clock in tandem with faculty and administrators to tackle the following measures by the next election cycle:
A Message from Katherine Swanson
Hello, Terps!
My name is Katherine Swanson, and I've had the honor of serving as president of the University of Maryland Student Government Association from 2016-2017.
I created the Terp Vote Coalition hoping that student groups could channel their energies into one of the most important civic callings that exists. Working together to mobilize our members, the Coalition registered more than 4,800 students on campus to vote. On Election Day 2016, nearly 2,450 students voted on campus.
Both numbers I think could be improved upon, but I'm proud of them.
Our hope is to coalesce with even more student groups and organizations in the future and help them plan, fund, and execute different mobilization tactics to mobilize as many Terps as possible. We are open to any and all suggestions you might have as well.
Please feel free to write us at TVCUMD@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
-KS
My name is Katherine Swanson, and I've had the honor of serving as president of the University of Maryland Student Government Association from 2016-2017.
I created the Terp Vote Coalition hoping that student groups could channel their energies into one of the most important civic callings that exists. Working together to mobilize our members, the Coalition registered more than 4,800 students on campus to vote. On Election Day 2016, nearly 2,450 students voted on campus.
Both numbers I think could be improved upon, but I'm proud of them.
Our hope is to coalesce with even more student groups and organizations in the future and help them plan, fund, and execute different mobilization tactics to mobilize as many Terps as possible. We are open to any and all suggestions you might have as well.
Please feel free to write us at TVCUMD@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
-KS
Monday, November 21, 2016
Welcome!
Thanks for visiting the Terp Voter Toolkit, your guide to all things voting and election-related during your time at the University of Maryland.
To help you navigate the process of casting your ballot in November, we've provided you with the tools you'll need to register, learn, and make an informed decision. Our hope is that you'll share this Toolkit with your fellow Terps so that they too can build a foundation for voting that lasts the rest of their lives.
This site is broken down into three sections: registration, education, and mobilization. We recognize that every student may come from a different political background and experience level, so feel free to explore any or all of the different pages here. And feel free to contact your Terps Vote Coalition representatives should you encounter any confusion or obstacles along the way.
Good luck, and happy voting!
--The Terps Vote Coalition
Primary Elections -- Should You Vote?
Starting in the February before the presidential election, state by state, voters select delegates who will nominate a candidate to run for office. Each state conducts the delegate-selecting process in a different manner.
The most common modes of selecting delegates are primary elections, in which voters choose their candidate in secret.
Primaries can be open, semi-open, closed, or semi-closed.
In caucuses, the voting may not be done in secret, voters oftentimes asked to raise their hands or assemble with likeminded citizens in groups instead.
Another key difference between primaries and caucuses is that primaries are run by the state government, and caucuses are run by the state parties.
The primary elections are just as much a part of the process of electing a new president as the general election. When you vote in the primary, you are picking an elector who is bound to vote for a certain candidate when they attend your party's nomination convention.
Prior to the election, we suggest you look into what the rules are for your home district. For example, if you're a registered Independent from Florida who currently lives in the state of Maryland, you may want to consider requesting an absentee ballot. Elections in Florida are generally characterized by slim margins, while Maryland historically swings toward Democrats.
The most common modes of selecting delegates are primary elections, in which voters choose their candidate in secret.
Primaries can be open, semi-open, closed, or semi-closed.
- In open primaries, all eligible voters can cast ballots, regardless of their party affiliation.
- In closed primaries, only members of an affiliated party can cast ballots for said party. For example, in the state of Maryland, only Democrats can vote in the Democratic primary, and only Republicans can vote in the Republican primary. Independent voters cannot participate.
- In semi-closed primaries, political parties can choose whether or not Independent voters or voters from other parties can participate before an election cycle.
In caucuses, the voting may not be done in secret, voters oftentimes asked to raise their hands or assemble with likeminded citizens in groups instead.
Another key difference between primaries and caucuses is that primaries are run by the state government, and caucuses are run by the state parties.
The primary elections are just as much a part of the process of electing a new president as the general election. When you vote in the primary, you are picking an elector who is bound to vote for a certain candidate when they attend your party's nomination convention.
Prior to the election, we suggest you look into what the rules are for your home district. For example, if you're a registered Independent from Florida who currently lives in the state of Maryland, you may want to consider requesting an absentee ballot. Elections in Florida are generally characterized by slim margins, while Maryland historically swings toward Democrats.
Primary Elections -- Should You Vote?
Primary elections, technically, are unrelated from the actual presidential election. Rather, they serve political parties' mission in nominating a candidate to run for office who best represents their political party.
Some state's also call their primary elections caucuses. The difference is that primaries are run by the state government, and caucuses are run by the state parties.
Only members of political parties can vote in their primary elections, so if you register as a Republican or Democrat, the primary elections are just as much a part of the process of electing a new president as the general election is. When you vote in the primary, you are picking an elector who is bound to vote for a certain candidate when they attend your party's nomination convention.
Some state's also call their primary elections caucuses. The difference is that primaries are run by the state government, and caucuses are run by the state parties.
Only members of political parties can vote in their primary elections, so if you register as a Republican or Democrat, the primary elections are just as much a part of the process of electing a new president as the general election is. When you vote in the primary, you are picking an elector who is bound to vote for a certain candidate when they attend your party's nomination convention.
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Mobilization Tactics
So perhaps you've registered. And maybe you've done your homework, learned about the candidates and the issues, or found a particular cause or issue you care about. Now it's time to get excited and keep your enthusiasm sustained from now until Election Day.
Here are some suggestions for getting involved with this University's political community:
Attend rallies, panel discussions, and opportunities to hear from all the speakers you can. The University of Maryland is not only a reputable research institution with excellent internal faculty and staff but also within 20 minutes of the nation's political hub, Washington, DC. In the past, candidates like Green Party's Jill Stein and Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen made campaign stops at the University. Others like President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have held rallies not too far from campus. Take advantage of this location and the benefits that accompany it!
Go to Debate Watch Parties. Every year, hundreds gather in Stamp's Hoff Theater to watch the debates with friends. Bring popcorn and your friends!
Host or organize voter registration blitzes within your friend group or student organization. When done properly, registering to vote takes just a couple of minutes. Some fraternities and sororities on campus made it a community service requirement for their members to at least register. Ask your student groups if they would consider doing the same.
Here are some suggestions for getting involved with this University's political community:
Attend rallies, panel discussions, and opportunities to hear from all the speakers you can. The University of Maryland is not only a reputable research institution with excellent internal faculty and staff but also within 20 minutes of the nation's political hub, Washington, DC. In the past, candidates like Green Party's Jill Stein and Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen made campaign stops at the University. Others like President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have held rallies not too far from campus. Take advantage of this location and the benefits that accompany it!
Go to Debate Watch Parties. Every year, hundreds gather in Stamp's Hoff Theater to watch the debates with friends. Bring popcorn and your friends!
Host or organize voter registration blitzes within your friend group or student organization. When done properly, registering to vote takes just a couple of minutes. Some fraternities and sororities on campus made it a community service requirement for their members to at least register. Ask your student groups if they would consider doing the same.
Information Gaps in the Digital Age
Sites like Facebook and Twitter have received criticism since the election for their role in disseminating "fake news" stories without verification and without posting disclaimers. Facebook Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged the problem and claimed that he and other developers are "working on it."
We surveyed a random sample of undergraduate students at the University of Maryland and asked them where they looked to get their news. Here's what we found:
We surveyed a random sample of undergraduate students at the University of Maryland and asked them where they looked to get their news. Here's what we found:
As you can see, almost 80 percent of respondents cited Facebook as a news source. Without any way to verify accuracy and considering Facebook's advanced algorithm that orders what a user sees in order of its pre-determined "relevance" to their past views, we deem this is as quite concerning.
Here are a few free, easy-to-navigate verifiable websites that can better suit your news-gathering needs. They are also available on mobile devices:
Absentee Ballot Voting
Let's say you're an out-of-state student who just read our post on deciding where to register and chose to register in your home state. What should you do from here?
Every state has an alternative process for voting known as the absentee ballot for residents that are not going to be in the state on Election Day.
The process is a little different for each state. Overall, you'll apply for an absentee ballot (either online or by mail), receive your ballot in the mail, vote, and mail your ballot back in. It is essential to research deadlines both for applying for an absentee ballot, and for mailing your ballot back in. You might need to add stamps to your shopping list, and you definitely need to locate a reliable post office either on or near campus.
Odds are you're from New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts or Pennsylvania if you're out-of-state. If not, try typing "alaska absentee ballot" into your search bar and you'll more than likely be able to find your state's information and deadlines.
Every state has an alternative process for voting known as the absentee ballot for residents that are not going to be in the state on Election Day.
The process is a little different for each state. Overall, you'll apply for an absentee ballot (either online or by mail), receive your ballot in the mail, vote, and mail your ballot back in. It is essential to research deadlines both for applying for an absentee ballot, and for mailing your ballot back in. You might need to add stamps to your shopping list, and you definitely need to locate a reliable post office either on or near campus.
Odds are you're from New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts or Pennsylvania if you're out-of-state. If not, try typing "alaska absentee ballot" into your search bar and you'll more than likely be able to find your state's information and deadlines.
Where to Register
One of the most common myths about student voting is that out-of-state students can't register to vote in the state where you go to college. All 50 states have different structures and rules for voting and registering, but in Maryland you can register to vote as long as you have a Maryland address and a Social Security Number.
This gives you options: register in your home district, or register in UMD's district.
Even for in-state students, this is something to consider because the presidential candidates aren't the only names or items to vote for on your ballot. There will be state or local positions to elect people into, and for some states, even motions to vote for or against. Your vote will impact your community at home if you maintain your preexisting registration, but can impact the community here in College Park by switching.
Even for in-state students, this is something to consider because the presidential candidates aren't the only names or items to vote for on your ballot. There will be state or local positions to elect people into, and for some states, even motions to vote for or against. Your vote will impact your community at home if you maintain your preexisting registration, but can impact the community here in College Park by switching.
If you decide to vote in your home district, look up your state here if it's not Maryland to learn about how you can register. Also look out for our post on the Absentee Ballot and Early Voting.
To register in any district in Maryland, visit the online registration system. You will need your Maryland Driver's License number, or the the last four digits of your Social Security Number if you do not have a Maryland Driver's License. You can also download and mail in a registration form. To vote as a resident of College Park, just make sure you fill out your College Park address.
Regardless of where you choose to register, check your state's website for registration deadlines.
Regardless of where you choose to register, check your state's website for registration deadlines.
Why Vote?
One of the most frequently cited reasons that students opt out of voting is because they don't think that the political process is interesting or engaging. They also don't think their vote matters.
It's true that policy can be difficult to understand and it's true that every voting-aged and eligible citizen is entitled to only one vote. But politics affect everyone and everything, from how long it'll take before your street gets paved to how much money your kids' college tuition will cost by the time you're a parent. And to say that votes don't matter is trivializing the slim margins that have characterized our elections for some time now; pollsters claimed that Michigan was a "safe" state that was likely to pledge all of its delegates to Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, but President-Elect Trump beat her there by just a little over 13,000 votes. That's less than the University of Maryland's student body. Even Maryland, considered one of the most Democratic-leaning states in the country, elected a Republican governor simply because his base turned out more than his opponent's did.
Voting is also habit-forming. Data show that those who start voting young are likely to continue voting in elections as they mature. Other studies point to voters being more dedicated and enthusiastic about the country than non-voters. And ballots are usually multi-dimensional in what they offer, meaning that you have the opportunity to vote for other candidates and issues besides just presidential candidates and nominees.
And if you're still not convinced, consider this: voting is a right that much of the world still doesn't possess, and that your ancestors had to fight for to earn. Exercise your right to vote in honor of those who paved the way for you to do so and in honor of those who would die to cast a ballot in your place.
It's true that policy can be difficult to understand and it's true that every voting-aged and eligible citizen is entitled to only one vote. But politics affect everyone and everything, from how long it'll take before your street gets paved to how much money your kids' college tuition will cost by the time you're a parent. And to say that votes don't matter is trivializing the slim margins that have characterized our elections for some time now; pollsters claimed that Michigan was a "safe" state that was likely to pledge all of its delegates to Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, but President-Elect Trump beat her there by just a little over 13,000 votes. That's less than the University of Maryland's student body. Even Maryland, considered one of the most Democratic-leaning states in the country, elected a Republican governor simply because his base turned out more than his opponent's did.
Voting is also habit-forming. Data show that those who start voting young are likely to continue voting in elections as they mature. Other studies point to voters being more dedicated and enthusiastic about the country than non-voters. And ballots are usually multi-dimensional in what they offer, meaning that you have the opportunity to vote for other candidates and issues besides just presidential candidates and nominees.
And if you're still not convinced, consider this: voting is a right that much of the world still doesn't possess, and that your ancestors had to fight for to earn. Exercise your right to vote in honor of those who paved the way for you to do so and in honor of those who would die to cast a ballot in your place.
About the Terps Vote Coalition
The Terps Vote Coalition formed in 2008 in an effort to increase turnout at the University of Maryland for the 2016 Presidential Election. Groups including the Student Government Association, MaryPIRG, the Residence Hall Association, College Democrats, College Republicans, Progressive College Republicans, Terps for Israel, the Intrafraternity Council, CIVICUS, and College Park Scholars comprise the coalition, according to The Diamondback.
The goal is simple: to get Terps to the polls not only for general elections, but also for midterms and primaries as well. The problem, however, is woefully complex.
Research indicates that millennials--people between 18 and 29 years of age--prove the most unreliable voter bloc in the country. They and the "Baby Boomer" generation--those born between 1945 and 1960--comprise an almost equal share of the eligible voting population. Yet, Baby Boomers consistently turn out more.
Several reasons exist to explain why millennials don't vote, including registration hindrances, lack of knowledge, and apathy.
Our mission is to not only provide you with the resources you need to cast your vote on election day, but also help you recognize the dire situation at hand and how much your vote matters.
The goal is simple: to get Terps to the polls not only for general elections, but also for midterms and primaries as well. The problem, however, is woefully complex.
Research indicates that millennials--people between 18 and 29 years of age--prove the most unreliable voter bloc in the country. They and the "Baby Boomer" generation--those born between 1945 and 1960--comprise an almost equal share of the eligible voting population. Yet, Baby Boomers consistently turn out more.
Several reasons exist to explain why millennials don't vote, including registration hindrances, lack of knowledge, and apathy.
Our mission is to not only provide you with the resources you need to cast your vote on election day, but also help you recognize the dire situation at hand and how much your vote matters.
Every Four Years?
Representatives and Senators are elected to their positions every two years via Midterm Elections.
Every state elects two Senators and a different amount of Representatives based on the size of the state. The options you have to vote for Representatives are bound to the Congressional district that you live in. For example, College Park is in the 5th Congressional District of Maryland. Those who register to vote as College Park residents vote for different people than those registered to vote in other Congressional Districts.
Voter turnout for the midterms is consistently lower than for general elections. The press doesn't cover them as extensively, less money is spent on their elections, and there certainly are less memes and Saturday Night Live skits dedicated to the candidates for Iowa's second district than the President.
However, our form of government relies on the makeup of The House of Representatives and The Senate just as much as it relies on who we elect as president every four years.
Taking time to do some research on the candidates for The House and The Senate from your district is vital to making an informed decision in the midterm election, even though it may be less glamorous than looking into who's running for president.
Committing to vote in every election, rather than just every four years, is also important for your state or city where you are registered. You'll be electing seats to their house of representatives or city council, and even your state governor.
So even if you don't identify with the people running for President, your vote and voice can certainly still make a difference with other down-ballot races, including those who could potentially represent you and your neighbors in your home district.
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