Partisan and Nonpartisan Groups Provided Treats for On-Campus Voters at Merten Hall

By: Rithvik Hari, Mason Votes Contributor

Partisan and nonpartisan student organizations lined the entrance of Merten Hall on Election Day, encouraging students to vote and offering sweet treats in return. Vote 4 Equality, GMU Dems, College Republicans, NextGen America, Student Media, and Mason Votes were among the organizations present.

As voters and potential voters walked towards Merten Hall, members of the organizations engaged with them to discuss candidates, voting procedures, and civic engagement. Of the organizations present, Vote 4 Equality, GMU Dems, and NextGen America voiced support for Democratic candidates while College Republicans advocated for Republican candidates. Mason Votes, a nonpartisan organization, remained neutral, promoting voter participation without endorsing any party. Student Media continued their tradition of conducting nonpartisan voter exit surveys to better understand which issues were most important to on-campus voters at Mason and gain insight into the most popular candidates among students.

NextGen America, Vote 4 Equality, and Mason Votes rewarded voters with snacks and sweet treats upon proof of voting, while GMU Democrats and GMU Republicans handed out sample ballots with information on who to select on the ballot that aligns with each party.

“NextGen America is an organization representing and empowering young people to get civically engaged. So today, when it’s one of the most important elections in the whole country, and the whole country is watching, we are really hoping to make sure young people have access to the election and have an opportunity to have their voices heard,” said Gabriella Grabovska, Virginia Deputy Field Organizer for NextGen America. Grabovska encouraged people on the fence about voting to “Just do it.” She added, “The atmosphere on election day is awesome, and this is something that you will remember for years. So, make this a tradition”

“Vote 4 Equality is here encouraging students to vote, and mainly, the reason we are here is to make sure everyone’s right to vote is respected. We are here in case someone isn’t that familiar with the voting process or they don’t understand how same day registration works,” said Anna Putnam, a member of Vote 4 Equality. Putnam continued, “Our slogan is vote as if your life depends on it. So, vote to have the life you would like. Vote for your community, vote for your family, vote for you and your rights, and vote for someone who you believe will make your life better.

“We’re out here because we want to push back against the Trump administration’s harmful policies so far in the last year, and the best way to do that is to get Democrats out on campus to mobilize and get out and vote,” said Christian Collins of GMU Dems. “Usually the opposite party in power wins Virginia, so we have a lot of momentum on our side, and we think we’re going to win,” Collins added. To people who aren’t sure about voting, Collins said, “It’s important, your future’s on the line. The future of George Mason is on the line.”

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Photos by: Joylin Ting