Deadline to register to vote in Virginia:

Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

Don’t forget to register or verify: elections.virginia.gov/registration

Make a plan to VOTE early in person, by mail, or on Election Day (November 5th)!

If you have already registered in Virginia:

Check your registration and confirm that you are registered at your current address, find your polling location, or update your registration online at elections.virginia.gov before Oct. 15, 2024.

If you need to register in Virginia:

Qualifications for voter registration: US Citizen, resident of Virginia, will be 18 years old on or before November 5, 2024 (if you are 17, you can still register and vote if you turn 18 on or before Election Day), have valid ID, and not currently convicted of a felony or judged as mentally incapacitated and disqualified to vote. Click here to learn more about voter eligibility in Virginia >

Voter Registration Deadline: Tuesday, October 15, 2024 is the deadline to register to vote or update an existing registration. Learn more: elections.virginia.gov/registration

• NEW: Voters may register through Election Day, and vote using a provisional ballot. Click here to learn more about same day voter registration >

Paper Registration: Click here to access a printable PDF Virginia Voter Registration Application >

Register Online: You may submit your registration and absentee ballot requests online, but only if you have a Virginia DMV record:

• If you have a Virginia driver’s license, you can register online. Go to: elections.virginia.gov and use the secured citizen’s portal. It takes about 2 minutes to register online, you will need your Virginia driver’s license number. The last day to register or update your registration to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 5 General and Special Elections is Oct. 15 postmarked by mail or in person by 5:00 p.m., or online by 11:59 p.m.
• If you don’t have a Virginia driver’s license, go to elections.virginia.gov to fill in the registration form, print it, sign it, and send it to the Department of Elections by mail. Your registration form must be postmarked by Oct.15, 2024.

Students living on the Mason’s Fairfax campus: You may register to vote from your campus address and provide your current resident hall name and dorm number. You will need to change this voting address when you move.

When registering or updating your existing Virginia voter registration:

• Provide your current residence hall’s physical building address (including your residence hall name and room number) as your RESIDENCE (Question #2) on the voter registration application, AND provide your Hub mailing address (4450 Rivanna River Way, PMB #, Fairfax, VA 22030) as your MAILING ADDRESS (Question #4) on the voter registration application.

Don’t know the physical address of your residence hall? Click here to find it on the list >

If you need to register outside Virginia:

Visit vote.gov and select your home state or territory to access local voter registration deadlines, forms, and information.

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ONLY students registered at their current Fairfax campus address may vote at the University Precinct located in Merten Hall on Election Day.

All other Mason students and faculty must vote at their registered home precincts, either inside the county, within the Commonwealth or your home state.

Virginia Voters: Click here to find your local polling place in VA >

Non-Virginia Voters: Click here to find your local polling place by selecting your home state >

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Disclaimer: This post is intended to provide important voting information for Mason students, but always refer to the official Virginia Department of Elections website for the most accurate and up-to-date voter information and guidelines: elections.virginia.gov

Campus Vote Project is seeking students who are passionate about democratic engagement, politically interested, and are self-starters to help peers register and vote and engage them in dialogue around democracy and voting rights legislation through a one-semester fellowship, with the potential for future semesters. Campus Vote Project is dedicated to helping students gain access to the ballot and increasing youth voter turnout. Fellows are an integral part of carrying out voter engagement and empowerment at institutions of higher education across the country.

As a fellow, you will have the opportunity to work with administrative and faculty partners. You will work with the on-campus team to complete the four planning steps of the Students Learn Students Vote checklist, created to build power and ensure success. You will also be responsible for meeting deadlines and carrying out nonpartisan voter engagement activities on your campus for an average of 10 hours per week.

The Fall Fellowship will run from August 26, 2024 to December 6, 2024.

• New Fellows will receive a $700 stipend at the end of the semester. Fellows receive a stipend
  of $900 every subsequent semester served as a Fellow.
• Fellows should be prepared to spend 10 hours per week on the program during the
  spring and fall semesters.

Apply Now:

https://fairelectionscenter.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/fairelectionscenter/survey.jsp?surveyId=8&

Click here to download a PDF with more info >

Dems Hold First Campaign Rally of 2024 at Mason

By: Erica Munisar, Fourth Estate Editor-in-Chief

This story was originally published on gmufourthestate.com. Fourth Estate is Mason’s official student-run newspaper.

On Tuesday, Jan. 23, President Joe Biden hosted his campaign rally, Restore Roe, in Manassas, Virginia at George Mason University’s Science and Technology campus. The rally was hosted by the Democratic National Committee, and was not a university event.

Attendants were heard chanting “Four more years,” from the chamber throughout the rally.

The event took place one day after the anniversary of Roe v. Wade in 1973. Speakers featured sensitive stories of women who received abortions, followed by Biden and Harris campaign attacks towards Donald Trump and interruptions from at least 14 pro-Palestine protestors during Biden’s segment.

“Genocide Joe, how many kids…” one pro-Palestine protester shouted holding a Palestine flag before being abruptly cut off and removed from the rally, having their sentence muffled by the crowd’s responding chant of “Four more years.”

During Joe Biden’s 20-minute speech, 13 other protesters, one after another would stand up, shouting chants such as “Ceasefire now,” “Stop the genocide,” and “Free Palestine.” Some held painted protest signs in green, red and black before being removed from the event by security.

“This is gonna go on for a while. They got this planned.” Joe Biden said in a staggered speech, as the crowd continued to chant “Four more years.”

After the event, a large pro-Palestine protest could be seen outside the Hylton Performing Arts Center, joined by a strong police presence with officers lined up along the immediate street.

Joe Biden was joined by speakers Vice President Kamala Harris, First Lady Jill Biden, Second Gentlemen Doug Emhoff and guest Amanda Zurawski during the rally.

“Yesterday marked the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade.” Emhoff said, speaking first at the rally. “And I think about it, I have an 83 year old mother and we also have a 24 year old daughter. So how is it possible that my mother will have enjoyed more rights than our daughter?”

“That is simply unacceptable… and we’re going to hear some of these tragic, horrible stories tonight.” Emhoff said.

Jill Biden, speaking second in a bright yellow blazer, shared a story about a close friend who had experienced an abortion.

“Reproductive freedom affects us all,” Jill Biden said. “When I was in high school, one of my friends got pregnant. It was the late 60s and abortion was illegal in Pennsylvania… To end the pregnancy, she told me her only recourse was to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to declare her mentally unfit before the doctor would perform the procedure.”

“Secrecy, shame, silence, danger [and] even death, that’s what defined that time for so many women… and because of Dobbs, that’s where we’re finding ourselves back again.”

“The choice in this election is clear. Women put Joe and Kamala in the White House, and we will do it again.” Said Jill Biden.

Jill Biden was followed by Harris. “In states across our nation, extremists have proposed and passed laws that criminalize doctors and punish women. Laws that make no exception, even for rape and incest.” Harris said.

“This is in fact a health care crisis.” Harris said. “Today in America, one in three women live in a state with an abortion ban. Since Roe was overturned, I have actually met more than one [woman] who have had miscarriages in toilets because they were refused care. I have met women who were turned away because doctors were afraid they would be thrown in jail for providing care.”

“Extremists are trying to pass a national abortion ban… but what they need to know is that we will not allow it.”

Harris invited Amanda Zurawski from Austin, Texas, who shared her near-death experience in trying to receive access to a life-saving abortion following catastrophic pregnancy complications.

“The near-total abortion ban had gone into effect just after my water had broke.” Zurawski said.

“Ending the pregnancy would have been considered an illegal abortion, and my doctor would be at risk of loss of her license or even jail. I had to wait until I got so sick that my life was in danger, one of the rare exceptions where a doctor can intervene in Texas.”

“It took 3 days in a near crash into septic shock before my doctor could finally provide the health care I desperately needed… I crashed again with another bout of sepsis and was transferred to the ICU. My family flew in from across the country for fear that I wouldn’t pull through.” Zurawski said.

At the end of the rally, Biden made attacks towards Donald Trump, claiming his responsibility for abortion bans.

“My name’s Joe Biden. I’m Jill Biden’s husband and Kamala’s running mate.” Joe Biden said. “Jokes aside… Women are being turned away from emergency rooms, forced to travel hundreds of miles to get basic health care, [and] forced to go to court to plead.”

“It’s a direct affront to a woman’s dignity to be told by extreme politicians and judges to wait to get sicker and sicker before anything can happen, even to the point where as you heard your life had to be in danger… or the idea that a woman should have to carry a fetus after she’s been raped or the victim of incest. It’s outrageous.” Joe Biden said.

“And let there be no mistake, the person most responsible for taking away this freedom in America is Donald Trump. Trump says that he’s proud that he overturned Roe v. Wade. In the past year, Trump himself endorsed a federal [abortion] ban promising to lead the change.”

“Know this: If Congress is to pass a national abortion ban, I will veto it.” Joe Biden said.

The Biden and Harris campaign is expected to host more rallies leading up to Election Day in Nov. 2024.

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Photos by: Erica Munisar/Fourth Estate

Here’s What You Need to Know:

Virginia’s 2024 presidential primary is set for Super Tuesday, March 5th, joining 14 other states all voting on the same day.

The deadline to register to vote, or update an existing registration in Virginia is Monday, February 12th, and there are a number of ways to cast your ballot:

• VOTE early in person at your local registrar’s office (don’t forget your ID!): January 19th through March 2nd

• VOTE by mail by requesting a ballot before 5pm on February 23rd: elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/early-absentee

• VOTE in person on Election Day, Tuesday, March 5, 2024 from 6am-7pm (don’t forget your ID!). Find your polling place: vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation

 

Candidates on Virginia’s Republican primary ballot:

• Chris Christie

• Ryan L. Binkley

• Vivek Ramaswamy

• Donald J. Trump

• Ron D. DeSantis

• Nikki R. Haley

Candidates on Virginia’s Democratic primary ballot:

• Marianne Williamson

• Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

• Dean Benson Phillips

Note: In Virginia, voters do not register by political party, and you may only cast a ballot in one of the presidential primary elections.

Do your homework! Although some candidates have suspended their campaigns, they have not officially withdrawn from the campaign and will remain on the ballot. Make sure you know in advance who has dropped out and who you plan to vote for (and why!).

 

Don’t forget to bring ID when voting! Your George Mason University Student Photo ID is welcomed on Election Day. You may use your Mason issued electronic ID, however, you may not use a picture of your physical ID. Photo ID is not required to vote. If you do not have a valid ID, you will be required to sign an affidavit certifying your identification. 

Learn more about acceptable forms of voter ID: elections.virginia.gov/registration/voterid

Learn more about voting in Fairfax County: fairfaxcounty.gov/news/early-voting-begins-jan-19-presidential-primary-elections

Learn more about Accessible Voting: elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/accessible-voting

Learn more about Absentee and Early Voting: elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/early-absentee

Learn more about Voter Rights: elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/voter-rights

Volunteer as a 2024 poll worker: elections.virginia.gov/officer-of-elections

Download the 2024 Voter Pocket Guide: elections.virginia.gov/voter-pocket-guide

Student Media Coverage of Virginia’s 2023 Elections

Watch the Full Broadcast on YouTube:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv6j5ItxOI8)

 

Individual Segments:

 

Make Your Voice Heard in 2023

Election Day is Tuesday, November 7th in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Early voting has concluded, but you can still vote in person on Election Day.

Polling places are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.  Anyone in line at 7:00 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

 

Here are a few reminders and resources to help you prepare for a trip to the polls:

1. Find your assigned polling place: elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/polling-place-lookup/
2. Remember to bring an acceptable form of voter ID to the polls. Your Mason ID will be accepted in either physical card or mobile format. However, a photo of your physical ID card will not be accepted. If you forget your ID on Election Day, you will be asked to sign an “ID Confirmation Statement” affirming your identity.
3. Read up on same day registration if you missed the traditional voter registration deadline. Mason students who missed the October 16th registration deadline but currently live on campus can utilize the new “same day registration” option to vote on-campus at Merten Hall on Election Day using a provisional ballot. You will be asked to provide your on-campus residential address and Hub mailing address (4450 Rivanna River Way, PMB #, Fairfax, VA 22030), so make sure to have that information handy on Election Day.
4. Review your sample ballot: fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/sample-ballots
5. If you need it, curbside voting and other assistance is available. Learn more about accessible voting: elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/accessible-voting/#curbside
6. Check out the Virginia Department of Elections’ Voter FAQs if you have specific questions: elections.virginia.gov/registration/election-voter-faq/
7. If you requested to vote absentee, follow all instructions to properly vote your ballot and submit before the deadline. Absentee ballots must be returned in person on Election Day or postmarked by Tuesday, November 7th and received by Monday, November 13th at noon.

Always refer to the official Virginia Department of Elections website for the most accurate and up-to-date voter information and guidelines: elections.virginia.gov

2023 Virginia Legislative Elections Guide

All 140 seats in Virginia’s legislature will be up for grabs in November. The Republicans currently control the House of Delegates 51-46; the Democrats control the Senate 22-18.

Your vote will determine Virginia’s future.

Here’s a look at what both parties have done (download a PDF or click on the image below to enlarge):

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guides.vote is an independent project hosted by nonprofit Youth Service America.

 

Join Student Government at Kiosk A in the Johnson Center Atrium every day this week to learn more about next Tuesday’s election.

From the organizers: “Come learn about what’s going to be on the ballot for this upcoming general election! Talk to professors and gain resources so that you can Vote Smart!”

VOTING REMINDER: Mason students who missed the Oct. 16th voter registration deadline but currently live on campus can utilize the new “same day registration” option to vote on-campus at Merten Hall on Election Day (Tuesday, November 7, 2023) using a provisional ballot. You will be asked to provide your on-campus residential address, so make sure to bring that information with you on Election Day.

Learn More: masonvotes.gmu.edu/2023/10/17/forgot-to-register-by-oct-16th-you-can-still-vote/

Still have questions? Always refer to the Virginia Department of Elections website for the latest and most accurate voter information: elections.virginia.gov

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Event Details:

Vote Smart!

Date: Monday, October 30 through Friday, Novermber 3, 2023

Time: 2pm-4pm

Location: Mon-Tues @ Wilkins Plaza; Wed-Fri @ JC Atrium kiosk

Mason360 Links: cglink.me/2d7/r2252567

Host: Student Government | Website | View More Events

Your Vote Counts Whether or Not You Use It

By: Madalyn Godfrey, Mason Votes Contributor

Election Day 2023 is coming up in just a few short weeks (Tuesday, November 7) and early voting is already underway in Virginia. However, just because this is an “off-year” election, doesn’t mean it is unimportant.

In the Braddock District (home to George Mason University) alone, there are 14 seats up for grabs that Mason students who live on campus have a chance to vote for on or before Election Day.

Off-year elections often face the lowest voter turnout among registered voters despite the need to fill numerous elected positions. According to Fairfax County’s Office of Elections, of the 79,564 active voters registered in 2019, less than 50% cast a ballot. This means that local representatives across the county had a seat for four years that was determined by less than half of the voting-aged population they were representing.

Looking at it from a student’s perspective, that’s like electing a group leader by a margin of 2-to-1 when only three of the five people in the group showed up to vote.

Is that fair? Yes, even if it may not seem so.

The reason for this can be simply put: a vote counts whether or not someone uses it. By passively abstaining from voting, a person leaves the decision up to those who do participate.

While this may not have a huge effect on the voting system as a whole, it can significantly impact the outcome of an election. A candidate can easily win or lose based on the number of abstaining votes. Unlike Presidential or Midterm elections, which have some of the highest voter turnout, local government elections have the most direct impact on members of a community.

According to The White House website, “[local government] generally take responsibility for parks and recreation services, police and fire departments, housing services, emergency medical services, municipal courts, transportation services and public works.”

In essence, local representatives determine all the resources provided in an area with voters aiding in how these resources are managed, funded, and delivered. Deciding to vote or not determines whether these resources meet the needs of a community, ultimately creating long-lasting impacts on how a community thrives. This is especially true for the Mason community.

On-campus students at Mason have the opportunity to decide who they want as their local representative. By registering for a ballot with their Hub mailing address and voting at Merten Hall, students can influence the change they want to see for campus and the surrounding area.

Change happens with every election, including off-year local elections, whether or not a person decides to cast a ballot. Don’t rely on others to make impactful long-lasting decisions. Instead, take the initiative and exercise your right to vote!

Learn more about what’s on the ballot in Fairfax: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/sample-ballots

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Madalyn Godfrey works as a Communication and Community Outreach Assistant for Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

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Slider photo by: Mimi Albano

Same Day Registration & Provisional Ballot Information

In 2022, Virginia’s General Assembly passed legislation that allows Commonwealth voters to register at any time, up to and including Election Day. Prior to the new law going into effect, registration was closed 21 days before an election and there was no way to vote if you missed the deadline.

According to the Virginia Department of Elections, “same day registration refers to the ability to register to vote in-person and immediately vote a provisional ballot after the deadline to register and vote a non-provisional ballot has passed.”

Mason students who missed the Oct. 16th registration deadline but currently live on campus can utilize the new “same day registration” option to vote on-campus at Merten Hall on Election Day (Tuesday, November 7, 2023) using a provisional ballot. You will be asked to provide your on-campus residential address, so make sure to bring that information with you on Election Day.

On-campus resident addresses on voter registration applications for Mason students can be provided in two ways (both are correct):

• ADDRESS OPTION #1: Provide the Hub mailing address (4450 Rivanna River Way, PMB #, Fairfax, VA 22030) as the address for Question #2 on the voter registration application, AND provide your current residence hall name and room number under Question #4 on the voter registration application.
• ADDRESS OPTION #2: Provide your current residence hall’s physical building address for Question #2 on the voter registration application, AND provide the Hub mailing address (4450 Rivanna River Way, PMB #, Fairfax, VA 22030) as the mailing address under Question #4 on the voter registration application.

Click here to view examples of Address Option #1 & Address Option #2 >

Don’t know the physical address of your residence hall? Click here to find it on the list >

Reminder: Your Mason ID is an acceptable form of voter ID, either physical card or mobile format. However, a photo of your physical ID will not be accepted. If you forget your ID on Election Day, you will be asked to sign an ID statement affirming your identity.

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about same day registration and provisional ballots from the Virginia Department of Elections website:

What is a provisional ballot?

• • Provisional ballots are used by voters who do not appear on the list of registered
    voters at their polling location. Provisional ballots are not processed by a vote
    counting machine at the time of voting, but rather are subject to approval by the
    local electoral board prior to the ballot being counted.

What happens to my provisional ballot after I vote?

• • • The general registrar’s office for your locality will research your ballot to gather
      evidence about whether you are qualified and eligible to vote. The general
      registrar’s office will forward your ballot and the information gathered to the
      electoral board to review and approve or deny your ballot.

How will I know if my provisional ballot is counted?

• • After you vote, you will be given a notice with the date, time, and place where the local electoral board will make a decision regarding your provisional ballot. You are entitled to attend this meeting, but you are not required to attend in order for your ballot to be counted. If your registration application is approved and there are no other issues, your ballot will be counted. If your ballot is not counted, you will receive written notice from your general registrar.

Where do I same day register?

• • You may same day register at the office of your general registrar or satellite
    location during the early voting period. On Election Day, you must go to the
    polling place for the precinct in which you reside.

How do I find my polling place?

• • You can find this information by contacting the office of the general registrar for
    the locality in which you reside. You can find information about your general
    registrar’s office on the Department of Elections’ website at
    https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation/PublicContactLookup

 

Still have questions? Always refer to the Virginia Department of Elections website for the latest and most accurate voter information: elections.virginia.gov

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Slider photo by: Mitchell Richtmyre/Fourth Estate