Author: jhartsel

If You Live On Campus, the Answer Is YES! But Keep Reading…

If you’re a Mason student living in an on-campus residence hall, you may be wondering if you can vote at Merten Hall on Election Day (Tuesday, November 8th).

The short answer is yes, but there are a few things you should know…

Virginia’s voter registration deadline was October 17th, but if you didn’t register on time (or aren’t sure if you’re registered), don’t despair.

New in 2022: Same Day Voter Registration

According to the Virginia Department of Elections: “Beginning with the 2022 General Election, the General Assembly approved legislation that provides the ability to register at any time, up to and including Election Day.”

This new legislation means that Mason students who missed the October 17th registration deadline AND live on the Fairfax campus can still register in-person “on the spot” on Election Day at Merten Hall and vote at the University Precinct using a provisional ballot.

Learn more about same day voter registration and provisional ballots: elections.virginia.gov/registration/same-day-voter-registration

If you don’t live on Mason’s Fairfax campus, you can still utilize same day registration, but must vote on Election Day at the assigned polling place for the area where you reside.

Find your assigned polling place: elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/polling-place-lookup

What is a Provisional Ballot?

According to the Virginia Department of Elections: “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.”

Learn more about provisional ballots: elections.virginia.gov/registration/same-day-voter-registration

Can I Use My Mason Student ID to Vote?

Yes, your Mason student ID is welcome on Election Day!

List of acceptable forms of ID: elections.virginia.gov/media/formswarehouse/voter-id/outreach-materials/documents/Voter-Identification-Chart-Rev-4-28-21.pdf

What If I Forget My ID on Election Day?

According to the Virginia Department of Elections: “If you get to your polling place without acceptable ID, you can sign an ID statement affirming your identity, you will be able to vote a regular ballot. If you do not sign an ID statement to affirm your identity you may vote a provisional ballot. You will be provided instructions to ensure your vote will count.”

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Election Day is Tuesday, November 8th…

Don’t Forget to VOTE!

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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/guidelines: elections.virginia.gov

A Tasty Reminder to VOTE on Tuesday, November 8th

Student Media, Mason Votes, and Mason’s student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists teamed up to host an election-themed cookie decorating contest one week before Election Day 2022.

40+ students stopped by the event to decorate a cookie and share their creation via social media as a way to encourage the Mason community to vote on Tuesday, November 8th.

All entries were judged on three criteria: creativity/originality, construction, and theme.

And the winners are…

Check out a few of the other “Get Out the Vote” cookies created by Mason students:

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Election Day is Tuesday, November 8th…

Don’t Forget to VOTE!

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Event Photos by: Madalyn Godfrey

Cookie Photos by: Mitchell Richtmyre

Mason Students Share What’s Motivating Them in 2022

The students of COMM 145 (Newspaper Workshop I) interviewed their peers on why voting is important and which issues were influencing their vote in 2022.

Here is what they found…

Special thanks the students of COMM 145: Madalyn Godfrey, Carson Alger, Claire Kim, and Peter Hoang.

Video edited by: Patrice Pannell

“All of Your Freedoms All of the Time” or Why You Should Register Libertarian

By: Richard Fast (Econ PhD), College Libertarians President

What is a Libertarian? “I’ve heard of them, I just don’t know what they stand for.” “Librarian? Y’all having a party now?” “Something about Alex Jones.” “Hey, you’re with the Aleppo guy. I remember that!” “I’ve seen you guys on the ballot. What do you all believe in?”

These are some of the responses I get when tabling on campuses for College Libertarians. Very simply, a Libertarian is someone who wants to live in peace and prosperity, and wants the same for everyone else, too. This rests on the Non-Aggression Principle, which, much like the Golden Rule, asserts as long as individuals refrain from violence, coercion, or fraud, they should be free to pursue their ends without external constraint. What differentiates Libertarians from the two old parties is: 1) Democrats want to raid your wallet or purse, but allow you social freedoms. 2) Republicans want to be the boss of your bedroom, but allow you economic freedoms. (3) Libertarians want you to keep your money, and not mind your personal affairs. Libertarians seek a world in which people are viewed as autonomous individuals seeking to live fulfilling lives through choice in how they work, who they love, and where they choose to live and learn.

This also applies to foreign policy. Libertarians seek, as Thomas Jefferson put it, “peace, commerce, and honest friendship—entangling alliances with none.” The point is, the government should treat its citizens like the competent adults they are.

When I see folks tabling for the R’s or D’s, they don’t need to explain themselves. Everyone already knows what they stand for, or claim to stand for. While both major parties have switched ideologies over the centuries, virtually every voter can be assured of one thing when either a Republican or Democrat is elected: more violence, more rights violations, more taxes, and more evisceration of hard-fought freedoms. Over 150 years of Republicans and Democrats in office has demonstrated over and over that neither party cares about Americans and their dreams, their ideals, and their future. The reason why people know what R’s and D’s stand for, but may not know what Libertarians stand for, is because R’s and D’s have rigged the electoral system such that hardly anyone but R’s and D’s can get on the ballot. The government doesn’t like competition.

But that’s exactly what Libertarians provide: a third option, and in national politics, the most viable third option on the ballot. In 2016, Libertarians received 3.27% of the popular vote for President, while the Green Party received about 1%. Sure, 3% may not sound like much, but what it implies is that Libertarians had three times more support than the fourth largest party in the U.S. The difference in proportionality was nearly the same in 2020. That’s why if Americans truly want to break the duopoly (politically, an abusive relationship), their best bet is to vote Libertarian, the third-party candidate most likely to succeed. We have competition in the marketplace (no one, except Bernie Sanders, would tell you 14 brands of deodorant is too much), so why not in the ballot box?

The Libertarian Party of Northern Virginia is fortunate to have ballot access at this time. Third parties can lose ballot access (meaning, their candidates get dropped from the ballot) if they don’t reach a certain voter percentage within a set number of years. Once those requirements are close to being met, the government raises the bar higher to ensure third party and independent candidates do not stay on the ballot. While various states allow write-in options for candidates that are not listed, in many instances those write in candidates are not counted and added into the totals unless they meet certain criteria before election day. These criteria are often put in place by Republicans and Democrats to ensure no third party or independent candidate gets on the ballot or is counted properly in vote totals. The Libertarian Party is fighting tirelessly against these onerous restrictions and regulations that are, effectively, censoring dissenting voices across the United States.

Why are Republicans and Democrats so powerful when they barely represent a majority of voters? Let’s look at some numbers. Most surveys show about one-quarter of U.S. voters are registered as Republican (or self-identify as Republican in states that do not register voters by party), about one-third are registered or self-identify as Democrats, and about two-fifths are registered as independent or no party. Combined, the percentages for R’s and D’s come out to about 58% of all registered voters; more than half, but not two-thirds. Third party registrations, including Libertarian, make up about 5% of the total.

Founded in December, 1971 in Colorado, the Libertarian Party is the only political party that wants you to be able to have your cake and eat it too. No longer do you have to choose between more social freedoms (D’s) or more economic freedoms (R’s). A vote for Libertarians is a vote for both. Libertarians want polyamorous LGBT married couples to be able to homeschool their adopted children while self-employed, protecting their marijuana plants with AK-47’s. This example humors folks, and I’m glad it does, but it’s to make a point: Libertarians are the only party fighting for all your freedoms all of the time.

As you head to the polls, or fill out your mail-in ballot, consider the history of the last 150 years of Democratic and Republican tyranny. Both parties supported the death penalty, drafting young men to fight a war they did not believe in, stealing money (through taxes) they did not earn to give to their friends in Big Government and Big Business, in civil asset forfeiture in which the police can seize whatever you own, in forcing people of different backgrounds and ethnicities to live and work separately. Both parties, at one time or another, supported all of these terrible rights violations. The Libertarian Party is the only party that stands for peace, freedom, individual rights and privacy in all aspects of your life.

To learn more about the Libertarian Party of Northern Virginia, check out www.lpnova.org

To join College Libertarians at GMU, e-mail Richard Fast at [email protected]

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This is part of an on-going series of guest opinion columns profiling major politician organizations on campus. All guest columns are independently written, and don’t necessary reflect the view point of Mason Votes, which is a non-partisan organization. All guest submissions are edited for grammar and length. If you would like to submit a piece, email [email protected].

Student-Run Organizations Encourage Civic Engagement on Campus

By: Madalyn Godfrey, Mason Votes Special Contributor

Fall has arrived on Mason’s campus and change is in the air. Leaves are changing colors as the temperature cools down and congressional seats may be changing colors as voters head to the polls on Tuesday, November 8th.

Recognized as being a “Voter-Friendly” campus, Mason reported a 52.4% voting rate in the previous 2018 midterm elections, according to Tufts’ National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement. As students turn their attention towards the upcoming elections, various student-run political organizations across campus are increasing their voter turnout and awareness efforts.

Hearing from College Republicans at GMU, Democrats at Mason, and College Libertarians at Mason, each organization has their own set of initiatives to increase voter turnout, while offering information and advice for eligible voters.

Joseph Szymanski, the Chairman of College Republicans, spoke on behalf of the organization saying “[College Republicans] are helping anyone who is not yet registered to vote to get the information and items needed to do so.” The group encourages Mason students to use their option of an absentee ballot, as well as take advantage of early voting rules.

“It’s easy. Do it,” Szymanski said, speaking on registering to vote and going to vote. “No matter your age, if you have an opinion, you should let it be known by going out and voting for the candidate that aligns best with your views… You’re deciding who’s going to be doing the legislative work for the next two, four, or six years,” said Szymanski, while expressing the importance of voting.

For Democrats at Mason, Olivia Nealon, the Chief of Staff, said on behalf of the organization that “[Democrats at Mason] are passionate about making [the voting process] an easy process for students.” The organization is helping students every Wednesday in the Johnson Center, and will remind students to register and vote, including on Election Day.

“[Democrats at Mason] has been focusing on the upcoming elections, and helping get students involved in these elections in Virginia and across the country… Giving students the opportunity to get involved in these elections help make them more passionate and engaged in the voting process” said Nealon, regarding how the organization is spreading awareness. Nealon added, “It’s time for the younger generation to make their voices heard,” while speaking on the importance of voting.

President Richard Fast of College Libertarians at Mason, on behalf of the organization, said “College Libertarians are reminding voters that there are other options besides the two old parties. We spread [voter] awareness primarily through social media and word of mouth.” The organization is also telling students the importance of voting in midterm elections as it “sets the tone for the general.”

Additionally, Fast advises students to “vote for the candidate who you agree with the most, not the candidate that is most likely to win. There is value in a protest vote. Even if the third party candidate ‘has no chance,’ a sizable third party vote share could affect the issues of future elections. Voting for a third party candidate is one way, but not the only way, to change the electoral system in this country.”

Despite supporting different candidates for the upcoming midterms, each organization offers advice for students who are eligible to vote. From Szymanski, on behalf of College Republicans, “Vote in a way that you have the most effect.” “Be aware of all the deadlines!” says Nealon, on behalf of Democrats at Mason. Lastly, “Keep an open-mind, research candidates’ positions, and make an informed decision” said Fast, on behalf of College Libertarians.

Whether students want to help move America forward, have their voice be heard, and/or take back their rights and freedoms; College Republicans at GMU, Democrats at Mason, College Libertarians at Mason, and other political student organizations, are available resources for students at Mason in helping them perform their civic duty.

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Explore more student groups via Mason360: mason360.gmu.edu/club_signup

Profiles of Four Campus Groups That Want Your Vote

By: Gabriel Yossick, Mason Votes 2022 Online Editorial Team

 

GMU Democrats

• The GMU Democrats serve as the Democratic Party’s representative on-campus.
• They have worked with candidates like Jennifer Wexton (D-VA.10), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA.7), and Catherine Read for Fairfax City Major.
• A normal general body meeting during the fall revolves around raising voter registration awareness. The spring season focuses on discussion-based topics.
• Learn More: mason360.gmu.edu/gmudemocrats/home

“We are for inclusivity, of all people, and that is really the biggest thing,” said Olivia Nealon (Honors ’25), GMU Democrats Chief of Staff.

 

College Republicans

• The College Republicans’ mission is to bring the Republican Party to Mason.
• They have worked with the Yesli Vega and Hung Cao campaigns, both running in the 7th and 10th districts respectively on canvassing and phone banking.
• During the fall semester, the club is in election mode, while the spring semester offers professional development for club members.
• Learn More: mason360.gmu.edu/crepublicans/home

“We are here for the candidates. That is what the College Republicans is about,” said Joe Szymanski (Schar ’23), Chairman for the College Republicans.

 

Young Democratic Socialists of America

• The Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) is a club founded on socialist and anti-capitalist beliefs.
• The club consists of different committees that cover a variety of issues like political education and outreach.
• They hold clothing drives for refugees arriving from Florida and Texas for the upcoming winter.
• Learn More: mason360.gmu.edu/gmuydsa/home

“Socialism is not when the government does stuff… it’s mainly when the workers or the average Joe has an equal say in how the government is run,” said Jai Carpenter (CES ’23), Vice President of the YDSA.

 

College Libertarians

• The College Libertarians are representatives of the Libertarian party at Mason.
• They worked with the Steven Porter campaign for Herndon town council.
• The club is not registered yet, but the club holds movie nights and general interest meetings. Official elections for the club will occur when the club is fully registered, likely in mid-November.

“The libertarian philosophy revolved around what’s called the non-aggression principle,” said Richard Fast (CHSS, PhD), President Pro Tem of the College Libertarians. Which, in “essence, is I don’t hit or steal from you, and you don’t hit or steal from me.”

 

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Explore more student groups via Mason360: mason360.gmu.edu/club_signup

Mason Students from Around the World Share What It’s Like to Watch Elections They Can’t Vote In

By: Clarita Orosco, Mason Votes 2022 Online Editorial Team

International students have a big presence on campus – they make up almost 10 percent of the Mason student body. 

International students come to Mason for a higher level of intercultural exchange that they would receive at home. U.S. universities tend to hold high reputations in terms of academic excellence and the diverse programs they offer. Organizations, clubs, and campus events allow international students to feel more connected to their peers, along with helping them transition into a new culture.

Mannal Javeed (Business ‘25) is currently a member of the Pakistani Student Association Executive Board’s Public Relations team.

“I think it’s going to be very interesting to see who wins the ground,” she said in an email, in regard to the upcoming congressional midterms.

She particularly keeps up to date with how different economies are progressing, rising politicians and any news on natural disasters. On campus, she is most interested in any new and more inclusive implementations that address women’s safety on campus.

“I feel like the most important issue that needs to be addressed in the Mason community is women’s safety,” said Javeed. “We do not realize this but there are people out there harassing people, and harassment does not have to be in a big form. It can be as little as a slight comment on someone’s appearance.”

Other students tend to keep up with news that affects their lives and studies.

“A topic that has caught my attention is the talk about a recession. I have a notification alert turned on for some financial news twitter account. They post the weekly and urgent headline. Like the federal interest rate plan and statements from business magnets on the probability of a recession,” wrote Aldur Almaknoon Salim Al Rawas (CEC ‘24).

While an impending recession is something he’s encountered recently in the news, he most consistently is interested in reading up on security breach cases and how the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) deals with them.

While many international students have specific sectors that keep them checking the news, some international students learn more about current U.S. news as they acclimate to their new surroundings.

“During the process of being admitted to GMU and staying here for about 2.5 months, I learned a lot about U.S. politics. There are several significant differences in politics and information flow between the United States and India (my native [country]). Firstly, Discipline and communication are the first and most noticeable distinctions, even at the lowest level of the hierarchy. Second, people from all over the world, from all walks of life, professions, and beliefs, are welcome, and everyone is kept together in a healthy environment with as few conflicts as possible,” Shrushti Gupta (CEC ‘26) said in an email.

She wants to become more knowledgeable on American politics as she plans to finish her Master’s degree and then try to come back to the U.S. for work.

However, some other international students feel uninterested in upcoming elections because they’re unable to vote.

“To be honest, as an international student, I’m not interested in the elections. Sometimes, I feel like the American election has nothing much to do with me, because we don’t have any voting rights and can’t affect the result,” said Rachel Chen (Business ‘23).

Instead, Chen makes sure to stay up to date on news related to her major and anything related to her home country’s affairs.

“I check the news almost every day, however, most of the time, I’m more interested in news from my own country,” she said. “Apart from these, I will read the Wall Street Journal regularly, in order to update in real time, to better understand American companies.”

Ashkan Zare Hadesh (CEC ‘27) felt a similar sentiment about staying up to date on the current issues his country faces.

“Yes, unfortunately, I check the news often,” Hadesh said. “Why unfortunately? Because I am an Iranian student, and currently, there is a lot happening in Iran. I know that I cannot do anything, but the habit of checking the news is there, and I cannot help it.”

However, he is interested in legislation that impacts the environment.

“Climate change is actually what my PhD research is about right now, and I think it is a problem worth spending time on,” Hadesh said.

A particular sector in the news that almost all the mentioned students spoke of was the relationship, or lack thereof, that the U.S. has with their home country.

Most expressed the sentiment of wanting to know more about current news. Their current avenues for reaching the news include online articles and social media posts.

“If I have to make a suggestion, there could be more platforms or campaigns to attract Patriots, introducing the situation of American politics,” Chen said in an email.

Are the midterm elections the most consequential of our time?

This story was originally published on October 18, 2022 on Mason’s homepage.

Dr. Jennifer Victor, associate professor of political science in Mason’s Schar School of Policy and Government, and Mason president Gregory Washington wrestle with that, and you might be surprised at the answer. Want more surprises? Then hear why high voter turnout could be a double-edged sword for our democracy and how the parties misread the electorate. And just what is “thermostatic politics?”

Listen to Episode 43 of the Access to Excellence Podcast >

 

Midterm Exams Distract from Midterm Voting

By: Clarita Orosco, Mason Votes 2022 Online Editorial Team

Class work can take up a lot of time, full-time student or not. With midterms going on, many Mason students are in a studying frenzy. Feelings of stress are high. Almost everyone can relate to staying up late and cramming the night before exams. That feeling has snuck up on Mason’s campus once again now that many people are shifting their focus to studying for midterms.

How do midterms affect George Mason students’ engagement with the news?

“I have had three tests this week, and I have been so stressed out trying to find space to study for all of them and get some of the concepts down,” Karla Del Cid, School of Business ‘25 said in an email regarding how she is feeling during this time in the semester.

She hasn’t been able to put much thought into the upcoming congressional elections, especially with her midterms happening soon. Even though she is stressed out daily, it’s during midterm time that she feels the most anxious.

Students can get caught up in their daily schedule and not even realize what is going on outside of their bubble.

“I didn’t even realize they were happening. I was so focused on things that were directly in front of me that I had no time to think of things happening beyond my life,” Manreet Gill, College of Humanities and Social Sciences ‘26 said in an email in regard to the upcoming midterm elections.

Gill has taken three tests in the past two weeks and has felt that she has had “no time to check the news.”

Some of the news she missed?

The US economy is currently experiencing the highest inflation since 1982. Just the 29th of September the senate approved a stopgap funding bill which would help avoid the government going into a partial shutdown.

On that same day, House republicans voted against a bill to increase mental health workers in K-12 Schools. With the Democrats currently running the House, the bill was passed.

Virginia’s congressional elections will help either make or break the democrats hold on the House. Will the Republicans take hold of the house, or will the Democrats continue their hold?

Students that want their voices to be heard will be voting during these congressional midterm elections.

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In the state of Virginia, the voter registration deadline is Monday, October 17. Learn More: elections.virginia.gov/registration

To vote absentee, the deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is Friday, October 22nd. Learn More: elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/early-absentee/

In-person early voting begins 45 days before the Election (Sept. 23, 2022, thru Nov. 5, 2022). Learn More: fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/early-voting and elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/early-voting-office-locations/

Finally, election day will be November 8th!

Click here to read our Quick Guide to Voting as a Mason Student >

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Photo by: Clarita Orosco