Category: Top Stories

Insights from Professor Jennifer Victor Shed Light on the Shifting Landscape of Democracy at Mason

By: Saahiti Kiran Chamala, Mason Votes Managing Editor

On Tuesday, November 11th, Mason Votes sat down with Professor Jennifer Nicoll Victor, associate professor of political science in the Schar School, to explore the implications of Virginia’s recent gubernatorial election for Mason students. Drawing from her research in American political institutions and her hands-on work supporting student voting initiatives, Professor Victor offered insight into how elections intersect with the practical realities of university life.

Democracy Lab’s Election Night Watch Party

By: Rithvik Hari, Mason Votes Contributor

As polls closed on Tuesday, November 4th, the Schar School of Policy and Government’s First-Year and Upper Level Democracy Lab students gathered for a watch party to see the outcomes of each of the elections across the country. With pizza and drinks provided, the students watched coverage of the elections in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City from various news outlets.

Early into the evening, former congresswomen and Democratic nominee for governor, Abigail Spanberger, was declared the winner of the Virginia gubernatorial race, defeating current Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl-Sears. Shortly after, Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Ghazala Hashmi defeated Republican John Reid. Following that, in a close race, Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones was declared the winner over incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares.

On November 5th, it was announced that Democrats had won 64 seats in the House of Delegates while the Republicans won 36. With this announcement, Democrats had gained control over the governor’s mansion, House of Delegates, and retained control of the Virginia Senate.

“My reaction to the selection is that the Democrats performed much better than I thought they would. I did not think that they would win by such a large margin. I definitely did not think that Jay Jones would win the attorney general race and I was really shocked when I saw the results. I think it’s a big referendum on the entire country as a whole and makes the midterm elections next year very interesting,” said Montgomery Vanik, a first-year Democracy Lab student, providing a different perspective on the outcome of the election.

Alternatively, first-year student Aaron Yoo said, “I’m pleasantly surprised at the results, by that, I mean of Jones. We knew Spanberger and Hashmi would [win], that much was obvious from the selection of the Republican candidate to the polls the entire way through. Jones, however, after his scandal was a moment of worry, for two reasons. The first being that an elected official, and a candidate for attorney general, could fathomably say those words. The second, however, was that, despite those words, he was still a preferential candidate to Miyares.”

As results continued to come in, the watch party offered students an opportunity to discuss the unfolding political shifts in real time and compare their expectations with the final outcomes. For many in attendance, the evening served as a chance to engage with peers about the implications of the night’s results for Virginia and the country.

Mason Votes provided coverage of the election results as polls closed across the country.

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Photo Courtesy of: Jennifer Victor

On-Campus Voters Make Their Voices Heard in Off-Year Election

Photos/Video by: Joylin Ting, Mason Votes Contributor

The Mason community turned out to Merten Hall on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 to cast their ballots for Virginia’s next governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and more during an off-year election.

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

According to the unofficial election results published by Fairfax County, 573 total votes were cast at the University Precinct, bringing overall voter turnout to 26.25%. In-person voting on Election Day accounted for 510 of those ballots in addition to 47 early votes and 16 mail-in votes.

2025 Election Day @ Mason Photo Gallery:

Click on any image below to enlarge!

Officials and Organizers Celebrate Historic Sweep in Virginia’s Statewide Elections

By: Saahiti Kiran Chamala, Mason Votes Managing Editor

On Tuesday, November 4th, Virginia Democrats scored a decisive triple victory in the statewide elections—winning the offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General in a night that energized supporters and underscored the party’s growing strength across the Commonwealth.

As polling results rolled in confirming the sweep, Democratic organizers and elected officials gathered at Bandito’s Tacos in University Mall—just steps away from Mason’s Fairfax campus—for a spirited watch party hosted by the Fairfax Young Democrats. The event brought together community leaders, students, and volunteers who had spent months campaigning and canvassing across Northern Virginia.

Among those in attendance were Congressman Walkinshaw, State Senator Salim, representatives from Chairman of Fairfax County Board of supervisors, and Jeffrey McKay, who joined supporters to watch live election coverage on large screens throughout the restaurant.

“I feel great. I mean, it looks like we’re gonna have a big win for Democrats tonight, the whole ticket in Virginia. Looks like we’re gonna win New Jersey. So, you know, I think it sends a strong message,” said Congressman Walkinshaw. “I think we had a huge margin and a huge turnout in Fairfax. Folks here are fed up… they’re taking every opportunity they have to get out and send that message that they want to see some change, and that’s what she [Abigail] represents.”

Senator Saddam Salim echoed the sense of optimism among party supporters. “I think we’re seeing what the whole nation is looking for. A type of hope…This is the effect of not only Trump but the policies of Republicans. He failed the people, and this is a direct message to not only House Republicans, but also Republicans across the nation to say, when the people stand up, you’re going to stand up and not by a small margin. Big margins and victories.”

Speaking directly to Mason students, Salim added, “Get involved. What this is also going to do is it’s gonna allow legislators to protect George Mason that’s been under attack under Youngkin. So there’s hope in that as well. We’re going to get back to work at least with the legislative side to make sure that Mason is protected going forward.” He concluded, “This is a great night for Democrats.”

Among the many students in attendance was Sreelakshmi Veettil, president of the GMU Democrats, who said the turnout on campus had been inspiring. “Feeling amazing, been over the moon all day. Voter turnout on campus has been great. It’s been better than last year’s presidential election, so that’s been really good to see. Campus and Merten Hall was really lively. We had so many organizations out… it was great just seeing how many people were excited and wanted to actually get involved.” She added, “We really wanted to keep it blue in Virginia. And the people told us what they wanted, and so we have a blue trifecta, and it’s going to stay that way.”

Reflecting on the broader meaning of the night, she said, “Democracy’s all about community, and we saw community come out today. We’re really glad to see how people have turned up and showed up for Virginia.” She encouraged students to stay active, saying, “Join Mason Dems. We have our meetings Mondays at 7:30… we are the biggest college chapter in Virginia. We really go out there, knock on a lot of doors, phone banks, we fight for all these candidates… follow us on Instagram at Gmudems. Let’s win Virginia over and over again.”

For others, the results represented hope and a call to continue civic involvement. “My reaction is optimism. I think tonight, Virginians and especially students at Mason sent a resounding message that the Trump administration and their enablers and lackeys in the form of the Youngkin administration and Jason Miyares are wrong for Virginia and wrong for a country,” said Griffin Crouch, Chief of Staff for the GMU Young Democrats. “The vote tonight is a vote for a better future for Virginia, one that’s freer and fairer… that’s a message that resonated with every voter I talked to at the polls today.” He continued, “If there’s any one reaction I’m having, it’s hope—not just for Virginia, but for voters as a whole—that we want a better standard of politics than we’re seeing coming up in the stench of the Trump White House and Youngkin administration.”

Community leaders also reflected on the moment. “I am beyond part of my community and all the AAPI community. This is how we rock in Virginia,” said Prabha Bhattarai Deuja, founder and president of the PKP Tender Heart Foundation and a community activist.

Fairfax County Board Chair Jeffrey McKay said the election results sent a clear message about the direction voters wanted to see. “I’m feeling great. I mean, we expected this to happen. The people of Fairfax County and the people of Virginia sent a really clear message tonight. They’re tired of the chaos. They’re tired of the division that’s happening in Washington, D.C., and they want to send a strong message and, boy, did they do that tonight.” McKay continued, “It means that, you know, we’re gonna have a governor who will stand up and fight for the people of Fairfax County. And, you know, I’ve been missing that for the last 10 months. We’ve had a governor who has done anything Donald Trump has told him to do, including destroy Northern Virginia’s economy.” He also noted the importance of supporting education: “Our federal workers will get a governor who will stand up for them… our public schools will be respected. Fairfax County Public Schools is the economic driver of the entire Commonwealth of Virginia and to have a governor, and attorney general who has spent more time trying to attack and demeanor our schools instead of doing the right thing and respecting them, I hope they got a message tonight.”

As the night went on, applause and celebration filled Bandito’s as supporters reflected on what the results meant for their communities and the state. For many, it was not just a political victory but a reminder of the importance of civic engagement and participation at every level.

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Photo by: Saahiti Chamala/Mason Votes

Virginia, New Jersey, New York City Focus of Students’ 2025 Off-Year Election Coverage

By: Eugenio Mulero, Adjunct Faculty, Department of Communication

The country’s political class likes to make a big deal out of the off-year elections. The battle to determine the next occupants of the governor’s mansions in New Jersey and Virginia are viewed with intrigue. So too is the election to decide the next mayor of New York City.

Much punditry is anchored on the rationale that the outcomes of these elections would be seen as a bellwether for 2026.

Simply put, major victories for GOP candidates in the Big Apple, the Garden State and the Old Dominion could be interpreted as endorsements of Washington’s Republican governing majorities in Congress and the White House. Or, if the trio of contests are won by the Democrats, the political intelligentsia is expected to conclude that Washington Republicans might be losing support from certain constituents.

At George Mason University’s Department of Communication, 15 students in the fall’s political journalism class are monitoring the November elections. With careful attention to Washington’s ruling party — President Donald Trump & co. — central to the class’ focus has been an in-depth evaluation of the incumbency. The New York City, New Jersey and Virginia referenda present the moment’s most ideal metrics for preparing such scholarship.

Since August, the journalism students have crafted candidate-background memoranda and analytical articles. They researched opinion polling and comprehensive campaign finance data and are writing profiles about the candidates, as well as national newsmakers.

Karlos Coria, a senior whose majors include English and secondary education, is monitoring Virginia’s race between Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears: “As a pre-service teacher, the politics surrounding education are particularly important to me. Since I plan to teach in Virginia, the platforms these candidates are running on and the decisions they might take when in office will have direct impacts on my daily life.”

Coria also, as he put it, is keeping an eye on the NYC mayoral race where Democrat Zohran Mamdani is the frontrunner. His challengers include former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa. “I find it interesting,” Coria explained, “that although Zohran Mamdani won the primary, there is still a lot of debate between the Democratic candidates. The Democratic Party’s inability to rally behind a single Democratic candidate is interesting—especially their focus on Mamdani’s status as a ‘radical socialist.’ I believe this race is bringing to the forefront how fragmented the Left side of the aisle truly is.”

Alexandra Henriques, a junior communication major with a concentration in journalism, is from New Jersey. As a class assignment, she is tracking the Garden State contest between Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli. In addition to monitoring voter-turnout, she explained, “this race is a key to seeing how New Jerseyans feel about President Trump and the current Republican Party. Trump’s endorsement of Republican candidate Ciattarelli, and repeated bashing of Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill (calling her ‘terrible,’ ‘corrupt’ and ‘fake’ in a recent tele-rally) have a major effect on the American people.”

“I am equally as interested,” Henriques went on, “in the candidates’ statements/responses/relationship to the president, such as Sherrill’s response calling out Trump for voter intimidation and weaponizing the [Department of Justice] after they announced they would send election watchers to the state.”

“This is a huge opportunity for people to vote and show their feelings about the current administration. It is a crucial election, and not just for my home state,” she emphasized.

Renata Pernegrova is a sophomore studying government and global affairs. New York’s election specific to the next resident of Gracie Mansion is her area of coverage.

“The New York City mayoral election has reached the national spotlight, and I think rightly so.  The contest is not just about who will lead the city for the next four years – the results are going to have nation-wide consequences, particularly for the Democratic Party,” Pernegrova affirmed, noting myriad political developments during the campaign, such as incumbent Mayor Eric Adams announcement he was dropping out of the race.

Ultimately, she added, “Zohran Mamdani has, in my opinion, done a fantastic job in reaching out to voters, mainly through his youth and social media. Although I might not agree with every one of his policies, I believe his self-described socialist-democratic politics is what the Democratic Party should focus on going forward if it aims at competing with the MAGA movement.”

“The lack of leadership among the Democrats needs to be filled,” Pernegrova continued, “and I think Zohran is their only choice, at least at this moment.”

510 In-Person Votes Cast on Election Day and 26.25% Overall Voter Turnout Reported at Fairfax’s University Precinct

Student Media conducted exit polling outside Merten Hall on November 4th to learn more about what issues and candidates were motivating student voters in 2025. Voters were asked to complete an anonymous exit survey after voting at Mason’s on-campus polling place (University Precinct). Click here to view the unofficial 2025 Fairfax County election results >

According to Student Media’s exit polling, Mason voters overwhelmingly supported the Democratic candidate in the race for Virginia’s next governor, with 93.1% of respondents indicating they voted for Democrat Abigail Spanberger. 5.9% of respondents said they voted for Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears.

That trend continued into the lieutenant governor and attorney general races, with 92.1% (Ghazala Hashmi) and 90.1% (Jay Jones) of survey respondents voting for Democratic candidates. Republican candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general received 5% (John Reid) and 7.9% (Jason Miyares), respectively.

On-campus voters also heavily favored incumbent Democratic candidate David Bulova (84.2%) for the Virginia House of Delegates in the 11th District race that includes Mason’s Fairfax campus. Republican challenger Adam Wise received 5.9% support according to exit polling results.

Voter enthusiasm is a topic of concern for both parties during any election cycle, but the vast majority of survey respondents at Mason reported being “very” or “somewhat” enthusiastic about voting in 2025. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 indicating “Very Enthusiastic” and 1 indicating “Not Ethusiastic At All,” responses broke down like this: (5-54.8%; 4-22.2%; 3-17%; 2-3.7%; 1-2.2%).

According to the results of Student Media’s 2025 exit poll survey, the most important issue to on-campus student voters was “Abortion,” with 16.3% of respondents selecting that as the number one concern influencing their vote. “Civil Rights,” “Social Justice,” and “LGBTQ+ Issues” all tied for second most important issue at 14.1% each. Next highest were “Education/Higher Ed” at 8.1%, “Healthcare” at 5.9%, and “Immigration” at 4.4%.

George Mason University is consistently ranked as a “Voter-Friendly Campus,” so perhaps it’s no surprise that the majority of exit poll respondents strongly agreed with the statement “I feel comfortable expressing my political views” on campus. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 indicating “Strongly Agree” and 1 indicating “Strongly Disagree,” responses broke down like this: (5-51.4%; 4-29.7%; 3-13.8%; 2-3.6%; 1-1.4%).

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Curious How Mason Voted in 2025?

Check out the full results of our 2025 exit polling below:

(Click on an image to enlarge the size)

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Photos by: Joylin Ting/Student Media

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

Mason Votes will be providing LIVE election night updates throughout the evening, so keep refreshing this post for the latest news and results!

By: Saahiti Kiran Chamala, Managing Editor, Gabriella Grabovska, MasonVotes Contributor and Virginia Deputy Field organizer for NextGen America, and Rithvik Hari, MasonVotes Contributor

Visit the VA Dept. of Elections website for unofficial results:

enr.elections.virginia.gov/results/public/virginia/elections/2025-November-General

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LIVE Updates:

11:25 pm (CA) : The New York Times reported that voters in California had approved Proposition 50, the congressional redistricting measure.

11:00 pm (CA) : Polls have closed in California for the special election.

9:32 pm (NJ) : MSNBC reports that Zohran Mamdani has won the New York City Mayoral race.

9:26 p.m. (NJ) : Live CNN Projections just announced Mikie Sherrill as the winner of the 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial election, marking a significant Democratic hold in a closely watched statewide race.

9:26 pm (NYC) : Congressman Maxwell Frost (D-FL) congratulates Zohran Mamdani in an Instagram story – “Congrats Mr. Mayor-Elect”. 60% of votes in New York City are in; Mamdani is leading over Andrew Cuomo by more than 100,000 votes, according to New York Times. No media network has called the race yet.

9:25 PM (NJ) : MSNBC reports that Mikie Sherrill has won the New Jersey Gubernatorial Race

9:20 pm (NJ) : Democrat Mikie Sherrill holds a steady lead over Republican Jack Ciattarelli. So far, 57% of the votes have been reported and 56.6% of the vote is being given to Sherrill. 

9:14pm (NYC) : First results coming in from NYC Mayor’s race. New york hits 2 million votes for the first time since 1969.

9:04 p.m. (NYC) : According to Eye Witness News, New York City has just reached 2 million votes cast in the mayoral race, a turnout level not seen since the 1969 election.

9:02 pm (VA)  :  Decision Desk HQ has projected a win for Jay Jones in the race for Virginia Attorney General, signaling a breakthrough in what had been a highly contested statewide fight. This Win marks a triple victory for the Democrats in the Gubernatorial Election 2025.

9:00 (NYC) : polls close in anticipated race for NYC mayor. 

8:53 pm (VA) : Democrats take a big lead in the house of delegates race. So far, 20 Democrats have won their races compared to 2 Republicans.

8:41 pm (VA) : Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger celebrates victory and speaks to the people of Virginia: “Tonight we sent a message to every corner of the Commonwealth.”

8:35 pm (NJ) : New Jersey Governor Race is leaning more towards the left with Mikie Sherrill being projected to have more than 60% of the vote according to the New York Times. 

8:34 pm (VA) : ABC News calls the Lt. Governor race for Democrat Ghazala Hashmi, the first Muslim woman to serve in this position.

8:29 pm (VA) : Abigail Spanberger, the democratic candidate for governor is the winner of the governor race becoming the Virginia’s first women governor elect.

8:08 pm (VA) : The Attorney General Race continues to be close with most Western Virginia counties leaning right. Most Western and Southern Virginia counties are predicted to have incumbent AG Jason Miyares win while some Eastern and Northern Virginia counties are predicted to have Jay Jones win.

8:00 pm (VA) : New York Times predicts Abigail Spanberger as winner of the Virginia Gubernatorial race. The Times is predicting that Spanberger will win with 54% of the vote. The Times also reported that most Virginia counties have shifted left.

7:59 pm (VA) : According to a Voter turnout analysis done by Fairfax County Office of Elections, George Mason University turnout is higher than 30% for the first time since 2019.
The turnout in the VA gubernatorial race shows high turnout among young people. George Mason University is one of the indicators with 878 ballots cast. In 2024, only 682 votes were reported showing a 28% higher participation, a significant increase in an off-year election.

7:52 pm (VA) : With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Associated Press analysis shared through NPR’s live coverage shows 47.6 percent of votes for the Republican governor candidate and 52.3 percent for the Democratic governor candidate in Surry County. In contrast, Highland County reports a decisive lead for the Republican candidate, signaling strong GOP turnout in rural western regions of the Commonwealth as vote counts continue statewide.

7:50 pm (VA) : Northern Virginia counties shifting left.
Abigail Spanberger is leading the Virginia gubernatorial race by more than 90,000 votes, according to the New York Times reporting. 27% of ballots have been counted so the race is too early to call. However, Loudoun County and other counties in Northern Virginia are showing more left-leaning trends in comparison to the 2021 gubernatorial and 2024 presidential races.

7:38 pm (NJ) : Turnout in New Jersey is higher than in 2024 presidential election. Former Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, said live on ABC News that turnout in New Jersey for the gubernatorial race has been “electric” with more than 120% turnout rate in certain counties.

7:18 pm (VA) : Early voting from all precincts in Fairfax City has been reported. City Hall served as the only location for early voting, and initial tallies indicate that these ballots favor Democratic candidates.

7:15 pm : As of the latest updates from reputable sources including the Washington Post, NPR, and the Virginia Department of Elections, the 2025 Virginia gubernatorial race between Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears remains one of the most closely watched contests in the nation. Polls officially closed across the Commonwealth at 7 p.m. EST, and while votes are still being tallied, early projections and exit polling indicate a strong showing for Spanberger, who has consistently led her opponent in pre-election surveys. According to the Wilder School’s July poll, Spanberger held a 12-point advantage, and election-night coverage by ABC News describes her as “poised to flip” the governor’s office blue—an outcome that would mark the first Democratic governorship since Ralph Northam’s term ended in 2022. The Virginia Department of Elections has confirmed that results remain unofficial until localities complete their certifications later this week.

6:00 pm : Polls in Virginia close at 7pm, but if you’re still in live at 7pm, you will be allowed to vote!

More coming soon!

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Photos by: Joylin Ting/Student Media

Virginia’s Republican Candidates Host Final Campaign Event of 2025 Election

By: Rithvik Hari, Fourth Estate Staff Writer

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

With music playing and lights flashing red, white and blue, Virginia’s Republican candidates held their final campaign rally of the election cycle on Nov. 3 at the Salisbury Center in Manassas, Va.

The venue, known for hosting MMA fights and weekly comedy shows, was filled with supporters wearing “Make America Great Again” and “Winsome for Governor” hats and holding campaign signs. Before the event began, staffers from the Winsome Earle-Sears campaign tossed T-shirts and other merchandise into the crowd.

The evening opened with a prayer from Rev. Alan Perdue, followed by Carol Fox, president of the Bull Run Republican Women’s Club, who led the Pledge of Allegiance.

State Delegate Ian Lovejoy of the 22nd Legislative District was the first to speak, highlighting his public service career and the city’s deep history.

“This election is a battle. A battle for common sense,” Lovejoy said.

He criticized the record of his Democratic opponent, Elizabeth Guzman, and concluded: “When we vote we win. Through this election, we will restore common sense.”

Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters followed, thanking Gov. Glenn Youngkin for his work during the last term and stressing election integrity.

“We must do everything we can to protect the vote,” Gruters said.

Republican Lieutenant Governor candidate John Reid then addressed the crowd, drawing cheers when he mentioned organizing an AI debate after his opponent declined to participate.

“Stand up for what you believe in,” Reid said.

He added that he supports public schools and law enforcement, promising, “I will not accept violence in the commonwealth of Virginia. I will do everything I can for every citizen.”

Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares, who is running for reelection, reminded attendees of the condition of the state before the 2021 election.

“Virginia was dying in 2021. We were 48th in reopening our schools after COVID-19. But we were saved after the 2021 election,” he said.

Miyares highlighted initiatives like Operation Bold Blue Line and Operation Ceasefire, aimed at reducing violent crime and gang activity. He said he would continue targeting fentanyl dealers “putting Virginia communities at risk,” and criticized his opponent, saying, “Jay Jones advocates for violence.”

Gov. Youngkin energized the crowd, saying a “revival” was happening in Virginia. “Elections have consequences, and so we have to win,” he said.

Youngkin argued that if Republicans had not won in 2021, “Virginia would have moved so far left we would have gone past California and toward Hawaii.”

He credited Miyares with helping “save Virginia” and encouraged attendees to bring 10 friends to vote.

Lt. Gov. and gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears closed the night with remarks focused on policy and party unity.

“Winning the election starts with you,” she told the crowd. “Abigail Spanberger has failed Virginia.”

Earle-Sears criticized Democratic clean energy initiatives, calling them harmful to Virginians. She pledged to eliminate the car tax if elected and said her policies would “work for Democrats, Republicans, independents and everyone in between.”

She noted that 81 of 123 sheriffs across the commonwealth have endorsed her and said she would maintain qualified immunity for law enforcement officers.

Earle-Sears also addressed former President Joe Biden’s health during his presidential term, saying, “Abigail should have done something about his decline. Abigail is for Abigail. Abigail is not for Virginia.”

She closed by criticizing former Gov. Ralph Northam’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. “COVID didn’t close our schools. Ralph Northam did. COVID didn’t close our stores. Ralph Northam did,” she said. “It truly matters who the governor is.”

“I’m voting Republican this year because of basic common sense, law and order and my faith,” said Olivia Maxwell, a spectator at the event. Maxwell added that she believes it is immoral and cruel for men to participate in women’s sports.

In an interview with the Fourth Estate, she said Democrats “have lost their mind and are the wimpiest party of my lifetime.” She also said, “Democrats are fascists.”

As Election Day approaches, candidates across Virginia are making their final appeals to voters. The Manassas event marked one of the last major campaign stops before Virginians head to the polls in the 2025 election.

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Photos by: Rithvik Hari/Fourth Estate

Vice President Rose Pascarell Reflects on Mason’s Legacy of Empowering Student Voters

By: Saahiti Kiran Chamala, Mason Votes Managing Editor

On November 3rd, Mason Votes met with Vice President for University Life Rose Pascarell to discuss George Mason University’s continued dedication to civic engagement, the evolution of student voter participation, and how Mason Votes helps prepare students to become active participants in democracy.

Mason has long been recognized as a Voter-Friendly Campus, a distinction that underscores its dedication to student involvement in civic life. Pascarell expressed pride in the university’s national reputation for civic engagement. “First of all, I’m really, really proud about the voter-friendly campus designation that Mason has. And even more proud of Mason Votes, which I want to say we began, I think in 2007,” she said. “As it’s evolved over the years, including getting the voter-friendly campus [designation], Mason has become more and more well known for its focus on civic engagement.”

She explained that Mason Votes began with “small aspirations,” but has grown into a central piece of Mason’s civic life. “We have a whole center that’s committed to civic engagement right now,” she noted, adding that other units such as the Center for Leadership and Intercultural Engagement also play key roles. “Year over year, we’ve seen that increase, and it’s why I think Mason has a higher than average proportion of students who vote than do other campuses around the country.”

Pascarell emphasized that civic engagement extends beyond the ballot box. “Honestly, I always think about the college campus, particularly at a public institution, as a learning lab for service,” she said. “There are lots of ways to really participate in democracy—voting is one really important way, but there are many other ways to become involved and really become an active member of not just the campus community, but the overall community.”

She praised Mason’s culture of open dialogue and activism: “We have a strong record of promoting freedom of expression, but also student activism. I really appreciate when students feel so passionate about a national or a global issue that they choose to kind of raise their voice in ways outside of voting.”

When asked about efforts to make voting easier and more approachable, Pascarell highlighted Mason Votes Ambassadors and the Democracy Lab. “I really do believe that Mason Votes Ambassadors have done an incredible job,” she said. “You also know that [Dr. Jennifer Victor] hosts the Democracy Lab through her appointment at the Schar School, but also the Democracy Lab is a living-learning community and it’s really one of our most active and most successful.”

She also pointed to Braver Angels, a dialogue initiative hosted by the Center for Leadership and Intercultural Engagement. “It brings together students and staff and faculty, but primarily students who have different opinions and a discussion around letting people share their opinions and share their approach on various contentious issues,” Pascarell said. “We’re living at a time in this country where it’s really difficult to have dissenting opinions. The programs that we offer and the opportunities that are offered in the classroom to really hash it out is [something] so important.”

For students voting for the first time, Pascarell encouraged preparation and engagement. “Get on the Mason Votes website. Look for the links to all the candidates… you can go directly to the candidate websites,” she advised. “To go directly to candidate websites to look for their positions in general, but [also] on issues that a student might feel passionate about, is a really important way to educate yourself.”

She added that this year’s elections are particularly significant. “Some really important issues are going to be determined based on who our elected officials are. So I would say to any student voting for the first time, how lucky you are to be voting in a really consequential set of races.”

Pascarell also reflected on why every ballot counts. “There was a really significant race in the General Assembly in Virginia… literally, the race was decided by one vote. And I lie not to you,” she recalled. “If this isn’t a really clear example [of] why every vote counts, I don’t know what is.”

She described civic participation as something that strengthens with experience. “As you come into college and if you’re voting for the first time, yeah, it’s really important to vote. But then voting also leads hopefully to the understanding that every individual has a say in this democracy,” she said.

When asked how Mason supports students who face barriers such as registration or absentee voting, Pascarell said much of it comes down to awareness and outreach. “A lot of it is around voter awareness, right? Making sure as best we can that students understand how to vote and where they can vote,” she said. “We have a very strong voter registration initiative as the semester begins. It’s all about figuring out, okay, I’m registered to vote, where can I vote, what’s the time of the voting location? And my gosh, now that Virginia has early voting, I say to everybody, there’s no reason why every single person in the Commonwealth shouldn’t vote.”

Pascarell added that Mason’s partnerships help sustain that effort. “Our relationship with the Fairfax County [Registrar] and the League of Women Voters… that doesn’t just start on Election Day, that starts way before.”

As the conversation closed, Pascarell shared a direct message for Mason students ahead of Election Day:

“I have one word to say — VOTE. Your voice is your vote so use it!!”

Today is Election Day. Polls are open across Virginia—so make your plan, bring your ID, and cast your ballot.Have you voted yet?

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Slider Photo: Courtesy of Rose Pascarell