Category: Featured News

Mason Students Turn Out to Vote On Campus

Photos by: Mitchell Richtmyre, Mason Votes Photographer

The Mason community turned out to Merten Hall on Tuesday, November 5th in large numbers to cast their ballots and enjoy some “Election Day Fun,” including music, food, exit polls, rock painting, yard games, and more.

Merten Hall is the home of Fairfax’s University Precinct, the local polling place for residential students and nearby residents.

Student Media was on site conducting voter exit surveys and handing out free donuts, while Student Involvement, Student Government, and the Office of Community Engagement and Civic Learning (CECIL) worked together to create a celebratory atmosphere for those who tuned out to vote and participate in this historic election.

While the results are not yet known, Election Day voter turnout at Merten Hall was brisk and energy was high among the students, faculty, and staff that showed up to exercise their civic duty.

If you haven’t yet cast your ballot, there is still time! Polls in Virginia close at 7:00pm and anyone still in line when the polls close will still be allowed to vote.

2024 Election Day @ Mason Photo Gallery:

Click on any image below to enlarge!

Photos below by: Alissa Karton

 

Students Voice Their Opinions Ahead of Election Day

Join hosts James Hamilton (Student Media Intern) and Mary J. Demarco (SPJ Chapter President) as they interview Mason students about what issues are motivating them to vote in 2024.

“What’s Up Mason?” 2024 Election Edition, Part 1:

“What’s Up Mason?” 2024 Election Edition, Part 2:

Video Editor: Patrice Pannell

Mason Offers Resources to Support Your Well-Being

When sociopolitical events occur, it is normal to feel anxious or overwhelmed, especially during a close election like we’re experiencing in 2024.

Uncertainty about which candidate will win, which laws or freedoms might change, or how the outcome of the election might impact your everyday life can leave students, faculty, and staff feeling worried about the future.

Luckily, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) has created a tip sheet to help you embrace self-care, prevent feelings of isolation, and prioritize your own well-being.

Here are a few tips from the experts to help you stay healthy despite the tension and stress of election season:

1. Take breaks from social media and news to prevent emotional overload.
2. Acknowledge your feelings, create space for them, and then release them.
3. When feeling judgemental towards yourself or others, try to view things with a curious mind.
4. Create a daily routine to provide predictability in your life and bring a sense of control and structure.
5. Ask for help if you’re feeling overwhelmed or isolated.
6. Be kind to yourself and offer the same grace to others.

Remember, you are not alone! If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it.

Here are a few options available for FREE to all Mason students:

• TimelyCare App: Access 24/7, on-demand emotional support to talk about anything, including anxiety, relationships, depression, and stressors.
• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): Offers in-person and virtual, free and confidential mental health services for enrolled students. Visit Student Union Building 1 (SUB 1), Suite 3129 or call 703-993-2380.
• Student Support & Advocacy Center (SSAC): Offers assistance students who are encountering a life crisis or significant barriers that impact their academic and personal success by making connections to appropriate on and off-campus resources.

 

 

 

Mason Students Share Why Voting at Home Matters

By: Katie Perschau, Mason Votes Contributor

Edited by: Vivien Trent, Mason Votes Copy Editor

Many of Mason’s out-of-state students are preparing to vote in their home states during the 2024 presidential election, despite the existence of an on-campus polling location for residential students in Fairfax.

Even though the process may involve requesting and returning mail-in absentee ballots, soliciting help from faraway family members, or even taking a road trip back home on election day, important state and local issues are still driving them to vote in their states of origin.

When asked how they plan to vote, out-of-state students were prepared with plans that showed the different ways to vote out of state. Matteo Scalise, a Mason student from Colorado, said, “My mom will mail me the ballot and then I will mail it back.” Meagan Raubenolt, a student from Ohio, shared that she will be voting via absentee ballot. Additionally, Zev Schlossburg, a student from New Jersey, stated that he will drive back to his hometown to vote.

According to public data from Mason’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning, out-of-state students make up 22% percent of the 2023-2024 student population. Many of these students return home for school breaks or plan to live in their home state after finishing school, so issues and laws in their home states can still directly affect them.

Raubenolt said she feels that voting at home on the issue of reproductive freedom is important to her because in the past, Ohio has had strict abortion laws. “Even though I’m not there, I know women that live in Ohio: my mom lives in Ohio, my female friends live in Ohio, and I might live in Ohio for the rest of my life, so I think women’s issues are the most important.” She also said that being exposed to many diverse mindsets on campus has made her excited to vote on issues in Ohio.

While moving from Colorado to Virginia has made him less enthusiastic about the election because he is separated from the results of his voting choices, Scalise is still concerned about the issues at stake in Colorado. “I am very passionate about amending the Colorado constitution to include same sex marriages, amending [it] to protect abortion, and introducing ranked choice voting to the voting system,” he said.

When asked if they felt the voting process was challenging because they attend an out-of-state school, Raubenolt, Schlossburg, and Scalise all agreed that despite the inconvenience, it is worth their time. “I don’t think [out-of-state voting] is really that difficult of a process to do,” said Raubenolt. “People talk about how difficult it is as a reason to not vote, but it’s still important because there are issues that might be fine [in Virginia], but they’re not at home.” Schlossburg, who is traveling back home to vote, stated, “I think the process is worth everyone’s time because of how important it is.”

Every vote matters in an election, and out-of-state Mason voters are willing to go the extra mile to ensure that their voices are heard.

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Election Day is Tuesday, November 5th…

Don’t Forget to VOTE!

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Photo by: Mitchell Richtmyre

Students Shake Off the Impact of AI and Celebrity Endorsements

By: Benjamin Spitler, Mason Votes Contributor

In the minutes following the September 10^th presidential debate between Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, megastar musician Taylor Swift took to social media encouraging individuals to “do their research” on important topics and stances of the candidates.

Later in Swift’s Instagram post, she endorsed Kamala Harris for President: “I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election.”

Swift’s official endorsement followed an AI-generated image depicting Swift dressed as Uncle Sam suggesting she was endorsing then-candidate Joe Biden that was later edited and shared by a pro-Trump user on Truth Social with the text: “Taylor wants YOU to vote for Donald Trump.”

Trump’s own Truth Social account liked the altered pro-Trump version of the image a day later, with the former president adding, “I accept!”

Swift addressed the pro-Trump image directly in her endorsement post: “Recently I was made aware that AI of ‘me’ falsely endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential run was posted to his site. It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation. It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter. The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth.”

The AI-generated Swift endorsement image is just one instance of how the new frontier of artificial intelligence is influencing American society and elections, complicating our understanding of reality with highly-realistic fakes.

Earlier this year, The Economist noted the rise of AI-generated content: “From the printing press to the internet, new technologies have often made it easier to spread untruths or impersonate the trustworthy… The trouble is that fakes are rapidly getting harder to spot.”

The problem is simple, the highly advanced technology challenges the trust of everyone involved; which calls for adaptation in education and understanding of the available technology now and into the future. But that is a topic for another time.

NPR analyzed the impact of Swift encouraging her legion of followers to register and vote, finding that the nonpartisan group Vote.org recorded more than 35,000 new voter registrations (the “most since 2020” and “a 23% jump over last year”) following her National Voter Registration Day post on social media: “It’s not clear exactly how many of the registrations were tied to Swift’s Instagram. Vote.org reported a 1,226% jump in participation in the hour after the post.”

Taylor Swift’s Harris endorsement made headlines across numerous news outlets, highlighting the implication of AI in elections and potentially influencing voters across the country. However, the Mason student body does not appear to have been significantly impacted by her endorsement.

Among Mason students, many of those planning to vote said they weren’t even aware that Taylor Swift had endorsed Harris. Furthermore, several said that her endorsement does not affect their decision to vote or their choice of candidate.

Granya Curran, an international politics major, remarked, “I hate that people will be swayed in politics because of celebrities. [Voters] need to use logic and vote on who they think will be better for the country.”

This sentiment seems to resonate with many Mason students.

Alexis Lembke, a biology major, echoed this by stating, “I make choices based on my own opinions and beliefs—not that of celebrities who have their own agenda.”

In addition, many students expressed concerns about the misuse of AI in influencing potential voters.

Cameron McKay, a mechanical engineering major, voiced his worries, saying, “AI is getting out of control, and eventually, we won’t be able to tell what is real.”

As highlighted by The Economist, growing mistrust in the vast amount of information available, fueled by AI, is becoming a significant concern, not only across the nation but also here at Mason as we approach this election and those to come.

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Election Day is Tuesday, November 5th…

Don’t Forget to VOTE!

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Photo credit: “TAYLOR SWIFT by Eva Rinaldi from Sydney Australia” by roberthuffstutter is licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped.

Patriots Share Why They Plan to Vote in 2024

Watch the video below or on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=aFs0_z606aY

Special thanks to Mason Athletics for their participation and Student Media for producing this video!

Video edited by: Patrice Pannell

Don’t Forget to VOTE on or Before Tuesday, November 5th!

By: Patrice Pannell, Mason Votes Contributor

Are you planning on voting in the upcoming November 5th election?

Well, if you are, here’s a quick overview of all the ways that you can make your voice heard with less than a week until the polls close!

If you have questions not answered here, always refer to the Virginia Department of Elections website for the most accurate and up-to-date voter information: elections.virginia.gov

Vote Early In Person

The first way you can vote in the upcoming election is through in person early voting. Even though early voting started in Virginia on September 20th, you can still take advantage of this option through Saturday, November 2nd.

Click here to learn more about early and absentee voting in VA >

Before you show up to vote early, check your registration status or call your local registrar’s office. You can find your registrar’s phone number here.

If you missed the voter registration deadline (Oct. 15th), you can still vote with “same day registration”! Virginia voters can register in person through Election Day and vote using a provisional ballot. Click here to learn more about same day voter registration and provisional ballots >

Here are a few things to know about early in-person voting:

• The last day to vote early in person is Saturday, November 2nd.
• All localities offer early voting and you do not have to have a reason or fill out an application to vote early.
• Voters are only allowed to vote early in the jurisdiction in which they are registered. Click here to find early in-person voting locations in your jurisdiction >
• At the early voting location, you must provide your name and address and show an acceptable form of ID or sign an ID Confirmation Statement. Click here to learn more about acceptable forms of ID >
• Your George Mason University Student Photo ID is welcomed on Election Day and for early in-person voting! Vote using either your physical Mason ID card OR electronic Mason Mobile ID. However, you may not vote using a photo of your physical ID card.
• Accessible equipment and/or curbside voting is available upon request.

Vote Early by Mail (Absentee)

The next option you have is to mail in your absentee ballot either to your local general registrar’s office or returning it to a drop-off location. Unfortunately, the deadline to request a mail-in ballot has passed (Oct. 25th).

Click here to learn more about early and absentee voting in VA >

Click here to find your local voter registration office >

Here are a few things to know about absentee voting by mail:

• You must complete and return your ballot to your local general registrar’s office by 7:00pm on Election Day (Tuesday, November 5th).
• Carefully review the instructions mailed with your ballot and double-check your ballot before mailing or utilizing the drop-off option.
• You may return your absentee ballot to a drop-off location. For more information on drop off locations in your locality, review the absentee instructions provided in your absentee ballot mailing.
• If you are returning your ballot by mail, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your general registrar’s office by noon on the third day following the election (in the event that that day is a holiday, the deadline is moved to the following business day).
• You may cast an “emergency absentee ballot” if you meet specific criteria set forth by law. Click here to learn more about emergency absentee voting >
• You do not need an excuse to vote absentee in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Vote In Person on Election Day

Last but definitely not least, you have the option to vote in person on Election Day (Tuesday, November 5th)!

Click here to learn more about casting a ballot on Election Day >

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

Out-of-State Voters: Click here to find your local polling place by selecting your home state >

If you missed the voter registration deadline (Oct. 15th), you can still vote with “same day registration”! Virginia voters can register in-person through Election Day and vote using a provisional ballot. This applies to Mason students voting on- or off-campus. Click here to learn more about same day voter registration and provisional ballots >

Here are a few things to know about voting in person on Election Day:

• Polls are open 6:00am – 7:00pm on Election Day.
• Anyone still in line at 7:00 p.m. will be allowed to vote!
• Your George Mason University Student Photo ID is welcomed on Election Day! Vote using either your physical Mason ID card OR electronic Mason Mobile ID. However, you may not vote using a photo of your physical ID card. Click here to learn more about acceptable forms of ID >
• Accessible voting options are available. Click here to learn more about accessible voting >
• Mason has its own University Precinct for on-campus residents registered at their Fairfax on-campus address only, so you don’t have to leave campus to cast your ballot!
  • ONLY students registered at their current Fairfax on-campus address may vote on Election Day at the University Precinct located in Merten Hall (next to Panda Express).
  • All other Fairfax County voters must vote at their home precincts. Click here to find your local polling place >

Now that you have all of the necessary information, you are ready for Election Day. So…

Get out there and VOTE on or before November 5th!

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Note: Most of the information outlined here only applies to Virginia voters. If you are voting out-of-state, visit vote.gov/guide-to-voting and search for your home state.

Mason Students Share What’s Motivating Them in 2024

The students of COMM 145 (Newspaper Workshop I) interviewed their peers on why voting is important and which issues were influencing their vote in 2024 as part of a co-curricular class project.

Here is what they found (Part I)…

Click here to watch Part II >

Interviews by: Adriana Carvallo, Bobbie Marcoux, Angelina Mitchell, Katie Perschau, Anna Rathfon, and Ben Spitler

Video edited by: Patrice Pannell

Music Credit: Royalty-free music by: MUSIC4VIDEO

2024 Student Government Election Forum

Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Time: 7:30pm

Location: Johnson Center Atrium

Mason360 RSVP Link: https://cglink.me/2d7/r2275466

This event is open to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community.

Hosts: Student Government | Website

Event Description: Hear from Democrats at Mason and Young Republicans on issues impacting you. Topics will include the Economy, Climate Change, Abortion, Immigration, & Elections & Voting.