Category: Top Stories

Educate, Register, Activate!

By: Breeze Lawless, Mason Votes Contributor

The Mason Voting Ambassadors (MVAs) is a nonpartisan student and faculty organization focused on voter registration and education. The organization is headed by Associate Professor of Political Science Dr. Jennifer Victor and filled with undergraduates with a passion for suffrage.

“The role of a student as a MVA is to be an open source and helping hand. This includes getting involved as tabling events, and classroom presentations. Just being an open source willing to answer questions and ensure that every student has the tools they need to be prepared and vote on Election Day,” said freshman TinaMarie Mullins. “We not only help you register or confirm your registration, we can provide info about early voting, where your polling place is, as well as what to expect on the ballot and non partisan information about the election.”

Because the Commonwealth of Virginia operates on an odd year election cycle, and the National Government on the even, the state has elections every year. This means that the MVAs work every year from June to August planning and September to November conducting outreach through tabling events, classroom presentations, and social media.

Tabling and kiosk events happen through the fall leading up to Election Day. During this time, the MVAs partner with local organizations like the Fairfax chapter of the League of Women Voters to register voters. MVAs also work alongside Mason Votes, the Office of Community Engagement and Civic Learning (CECiL), University Life, and the Schar School of Government and Policy which help support the their work.

In addition to tabling and kiosks, MVA students travel in pairs to classrooms or meetings to deliver short presentations on the upcoming elections and voting. These presentations happen at request of faculty or students and can happen anywhere students wish to learn about voting such as academic classrooms, club functions, or athletic team meetings. To request a visit from the MVAs, contact Dr. Victor. 

History of MVAs

The Mason Voting Ambassadors has existed in its current form for two years. Before the current “student-led, faculty-supported” model, the organization’s mission was carried out by the Schar School’s Democracy Lab (Dem Lab). The Dem Lab is the Residential Learning Community (RLC) operated by the Schar School where students share an academic focus on governmental process and systems. Dr. Victor headed the Dem Lab for three years, where she chose to focus on the “lab” portion.

“That first year, I designed a project where we did a survey and I had the Dem Lab students out there, getting people to answer the survey. And then I taught them how to analyze the survey about student voting.  Then the following year, I designed more of an experiment, so we had a control group and a treatment group to figure out what makes students more likely to vote,” said Victor.

When Dr. Victor left the position as Dem Lab director in 2024, she was granted a faculty fellowship from University Life, giving her the freedom and funds to continue the Dem Lab’s work as a separate organization.

In its current form, students, faculty, and outside partners work together to encourage voting on campus. In her role as faculty advisor, Dr. Victor keeps “things on track, and helps to recruit and train students, to know all the legalities of voter registration.”

Though the format, name, and even general mission may have changed slightly over the years, the group has remained strictly nonpartisan. They refrain from taking sides in any argument or discussion, acting only as a platform to inform, educate, and register voters.

MVAs Mission

The goal of the MVA is simply to encourage voter registration, turnout, and efficacy among Mason students.

It is a common assumption that young people are less likely to vote, either because they are uninformed or don’t care. The group between 18-24 has the lowest voter turnout rate. But MVAs hold the belief that this isn’t because young people don’t care. “It’s literally hard for them to vote,” said Dr. Victor. “They are moving communities all the time. Some young people move every year, back-and-forth from school to home. They are often confused about exactly where to vote, especially if you maintain two addresses. Or they’ve just moved and they don’t feel connected to this community.”

MVAs attempt to overcome this by making voting and registration easy and giving students the ability to learn about a community they may be new to.

The private nature of voting makes it hard to get exact numbers on the impact MVAs have had on Mason students, but it seems to be a positive one. In the 2024 presidential race, about 300-400 students showed up to vote at Merton Hall. In the 2025 gubernatorial race (to elect Virginia’s governor), over 1,000 voted on campus.

Typically national races have a significantly higher voter turnout rate than state and local elections, in fact every other voting precinct in Fairfax had a smaller turnout. Leading the MVAs to believe that at least something is working. Dr. Victor credits this increased turnout to “election energy on campus.”

The team hopes to meet and maybe even surpass last year’s numbers in the upcoming midterm. However it is important to note, the number of students who vote at Merten Hall is not a true reflection of how many Mason students voted in total, since many vote early, by mail, or back home, making it difficult to understand the full extent to which the organization has impacted voting culture.

Get Involved & Registered!

When students come to one of the various events hosted by the MVAs, they are given the opportunity to talk to members, learn about what’s on the upcoming ballot, and better understand how to get registered. The final day to register to vote for the 2026 election is October 23rd. Click here to register or verify online via the Virginia Dept. of Elections’ Citizen Portal >

While the state of Virginia allows same-day registration, the MVAs have been pushing for pre-Election Day registration to streamline the process for everyone involved as long lines can form when large numbers of voters utilize same-day registration. Click here to learn more about same-day voter registration >

During tabling and kiosk events, students are given paper registration forms to fill out while an ambassador walks them through the process. To register in the state of Virginia students need to reside in Virginia. Even out-of-state students are eligible to change their registration to match their current Virginia address as long as “they have a place where they sleep at night in Virginia,” said Dr. Victor.

On Election Day, the MVAs will be tabling outside of Merten Hall’s on-campus polling location to provide information and encourage students to vote. They will also send “student sweeps” to dining halls and public areas to encourage students who may have forgotten about the election. Once students have cast their ballot, they can join the MVAs outside of Merten Hall for pizza and donuts to celebrate Election Day.

Once the voting season concludes, the MVAs will take a well-deserved break until next summer, when they will start planning for the 2027 Virginia State Senate election. Until then, look for them around campus as they make a final push to inform voters prior to the November 3rd midterms.

Click here to check out upcoming election events on campus >

Click here to learn more about registration and voting via our “Quick Guide to Voting” >

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Photos by: Breeze Lawless & Mason Voting Ambassadors

“Be Someone Who Shows Up!”

By: Charisma Kerns, Mason Votes Contributor

Founded in 1920, the League of Women Voters (LWV) is an nonpartisan “grassroots organization” that believes in the right to vote, no matter your race, gender, sexuality, or views. They encourage people to be a part of the democracy that makes up our country and the world through their many state and local leagues across the U.S. and other countries. Since the beginning, their mission has been about making sure every voter has the knowledge and choice they deserve, while providing volunteer support to ensure that every election is fair and accessible to all.

Rhonda Mays joined LWV in 2025 and volunteers at Mason through on-campus voter registration events, helping students to understand the voting process and get educated about how elections impact their daily lives. Mays has 20 years of experience in politically sensitive environments. She has a major passion for inspiring women and young people to help change the world for the better. Not only does she work for LWV, but she is also a Democracy Team Manager for Public Citizen and an independent consultant, where she advises people on how to protect and further democratic practices.

Mason Votes had the privilege of interviewing Mays in the run-up to the midterm elections about her role with LWV and her personal mission:

Q: Is there any LWV history you would like to share with Mason students?

A: “There are three things I’d like to share with Mason students about the League. First, the League has a long and impressive history of working for voting rights. Born from the women’s suffrage movement, the League was founded 106 years ago, in 1920, and has been devoted to expanding voting access ever since. Second, the League is non-partisan. We’re not here to tell you which candidate to vote for or to only register voters who support a particular party. We’re devoted to the idea that a strong, healthy democracy needs everyone to participate in discussion and debate over policies and how we want to be governed. Third, despite the name, the League isn’t just for women—everyone is welcome”

Q: What is your story? Career background and voting/election work?

A: “For two decades, I have worked with pro-democracy and human rights activists around the world. Until last year, I helped lead the Asia-Pacific division of an international non-profit focused on strengthening democratic institutions and values around the world. My area of expertise is authoritarian societies, and I have had the privilege of learning from and supporting some of the most amazingly brave activists who routinely take great risks to fight dictatorships in their countries. In addition, my work included supporting free and fair elections across Asia, including voter education and helping political parties connect with constituents. I believe deeply in the power of democracy to improve people’s lives.

Having seen authoritarianism and dictatorship up close, I have been deeply worried about the anti-democratic trends in our own political system here in the US. I felt increasingly called to get more engaged in domestic civic activism to try to help shore up our democratic institutions, including voting and elections.”

Q: Why do you find this pathway of work worthy of your time?

A: “Throughout my career, I have spent significant time with former political prisoners who spent years, sometimes decades, in jail for standing up and fighting to have democracies in their countries. I know people who have died for it. So I consider it a solemn duty to try to protect and improve our democracy, because I know the sacrifices others are willing to make to have such freedoms”

Q: How did you get involved with LWV, and how long have you been involved? How long have you been involved with George Mason University?

A: “I first joined the League in 2025, although I had been aware of it for years because of its storied history and connection with the women’s suffrage movement in the U.S. When I lost my job last year because of the cuts to foreign assistance, I was looking for something to fill my time and work on our democracy here, and the League was the perfect place. I immediately started doing voter registration work—the first event I volunteered at was a new citizen ceremony, which was profoundly moving. Soon after, I connected with the LWV team working with the Mason Votes team and began volunteering at all the voter registration events on campus. I really love connecting with young people who are interested in voting and being civically engaged. They always bring enthusiasm and creative ideas!

Q: What do you personally deem as “the stakes” in this current election season? What would your message be to students who are on the fence about voting this year?

A: “This is undoubtedly the most consequential election in my lifetime. That may sound like hyperbole to some, but I have seen how quickly democracy can be lost and how hard it is to rebuild it once it has been eroded. There are lots of dangerous anti-democratic trends quickly eroding the institutions and safeguards we used to think would protect our democratic system, and the most immediate way we have to push back on those is this election. I know students—and indeed many voters—feel frustrated by our political system and like their vote doesn’t matter or change anything. To them, I would say that our system is imperfect, but the way to change that is by engaging more—voting, writing to elected officials, protesting, making our voices heard—not sitting on the sidelines. Decisions are made by those who show up, and everyone else has to live with the results, so be someone who shows up!

Q: How would you suggest others get involved with LWV or other democratic advocacy groups?

A: “There are so many ways students can get involved! First, check out the resources on the Mason Votes website and come see us at one of the upcoming voter registration and info events. You can join the Mason Voting Ambassadors team or LWV@GMU and help register your fellow students to vote. Follow and share the Mason Votes and LWV@GMU content on Instagram. Even something as simple as sharing your plan to vote with your roommate or friends and encouraging them to vote makes a difference! If you don’t know what’s on your ballot or want non-partisan information about the candidates and issues you’ll be voting on, check out vote411.org for all the details!

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VA deadline to register to vote: Oct. 23rd

Register to vote or verify your existing registration online anytime by utilizing the Virginia Dept. of Elections’ Citizen Portal: vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation

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You can vote early Sept. 18-Oct. 31!

Click here to learn more about Fairfax County in-person early voting >

Click here to learn more about Fairfax City early and absentee voting >

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Slider photo by: Breeze Lawless

Mason Voters Share Top Concerns

By: Tiffany Boggs, Mason Votes Contributor

Student Media conducted an exit poll survey of student and community voters outside the on-campus polling site at Merten Hall on Election Day in 2025 to better understand which issues most influenced their choices.

About 93.1% of respondents voted for then-candidate Abigail Spanberger (D), who was ultimately elected as the Commonwealth’s first female governor.

According to the same poll, the top issues that Mason students felt strongly about and influenced their decisions in 2025 were “Abortion” (16.3%), “Civil Rights” (14.1%), “Social Justice” (14.1%), “LGBTQ+ Issues” (14.1%), and “Higher Education” (8.1%).

Looking back to 2025 reveals some clues as to which issues might still be top of mind in the current midterm elections, but has anything changed since last year’s election? Are these issues still motivating young voters in 2026?

According to the national Spring 2026 Yale Youth Poll, 81% of voters between the ages of 18-34 selected “cost of living/affordability” as the primary concern driving their vote. Other top issues selected by the same demographic in 2026 were “corruption” (75%), “democracy” (72%), “jobs” (69%), and “healthcare” (69%). Immigration, the environment, taxes, election integrity, and free speech also made the list, but were ranked as lower priorities.

Mason Votes interviewed students on the Fairfax campus who attended CECiL’s 14^th Annual Service Fair on September 30th to find out what issues were motivating the Mason community. After reviewing all of the responses received, similar issues did emerge, but the key factors influencing Mason students in 2026 were “immigration” and “women’s reproductive rights.”

Here are some direct quotes from Mason students expressing their views:

• Immigration: “I have friends that are having problems with their parent’s status, especially Temporary Protective Status (TPS) expiring for Salvadorians. One of my friends has to go with her family to El Salvador because of her parent’s TPS expiration. So, it’s kind of sad that I have to see her go after being here. She’s born here, but since her parents aren’t, they have to go.” (female freshman)
• Reproductive Rights: “Me personally, I believe in pro-choice. I think every woman’s body is for themselves. It’s not my body. Why do I get to make that choice? There’s a lot of circumstances that play into it. I believe everyone should be equal with each other and no one should be below or higher in terms of human value.” (male junior)
• Immigration: “Personally, I know a lot of undocumented people. They don’t come here to just ruin or make a mess. No, they come here to work, to provide for their families, whether that be back home or just building a better future for themselves and their families.” (female)
• Immigration & Reproductive Rights: “Immigration…that’s something I’d want to vote on to change. I myself am one, so I advocate for our rights. Female reproductive rights…I feel like that’s something that’s been brought upon a lot recently, and I think it’s important to not let people, like men, dictate our reproductive bodies.” (female freshman)
• Foreign Policy: “I feel like there’s a lot of foreign influence. With our government, we’re too involved with other countries’ business, and I feel like we should stop doing that as well. I think we should definitely just focus on ourselves a little bit more than we are right now.” (male junior)
• Social Justice: “I definitely concern myself a lot with equality, especially in this administration. I feel like there’s a lot of rights that are up to chance right now, and so I definitely want to make sure that racial equality and gender equality especially are secure at least in this area.” (female sophomore)

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Don’t Forget to REGISTER:

• October 23rd is the deadline to register to vote or verify an existing registration in Virginia. Click here to register/verify >

Make a Plan to VOTE:

• Early (September 18-October 31)
• By Mail (request a mail-in ballot online by October 23rd)
• In Person (Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd!)
  • Polls are open from 6am-7pm on Election Day in Virginia. Anyone still in line at 7pm will be allowed to vote!

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Slider photo by: Breeze Lawless

Vote Early in Virginia Until October 31st

By: Rithvik Hari, Mason Votes Contributor

You don’t have to wait until Nov. 3 to vote. Early in-person voting has been open in Fairfax since September 18th and will remain open until October 31st.

Each year, more and more Fairfax voters take advantage of early voting. In the 2025 general election, approximately 201,490 Fairfax voters voted early compared to the 176,142 early voters just four years prior, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

With a U.S. Senate seat, multiple congressional districts, three Virginia state constitutional amendments, and some local bond measures all on the ballot, Virginia voters have a lot at stake this November.

Here’s what to know before you head to the polls:

When & Where to Vote Early In Person

Fairfax County voters can cast an early in-person ballot through October 31st (Mason’s Fairfax campus is located in Fairfax County):

• Fairfax County Government Center
  • 12000 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax, 22035, Room 251
    
  • Monday-Friday from 8am-4:30pm; Saturdays: October 24th & October 31st from 9am-5pm; Sundays: October 18th & October 25th from 12-5pm
• Mount Vernon Governmental Center
  • 2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria, 22306
    
  • Monday-Friday from 1-7pm; Saturdays: October 24th & October 31st from 9am-5pm; Sundays: October 18th & October 25th from 12-5pm
• North County Governmental Center
  • 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston, 20190
  • Monday-Friday from 1-7pm; Saturdays: October 24th & October 31st from 9am-5pm; Sundays: October 18th & October 25th from 12-5pm
• 13 additional satellite sites will open across the county beginning October 22nd.
• Hours vary by location, so voters are reminded to check the Fairfax County government website to verify the hours of their preferred voting site before heading to the polls.
• Click here for a complete list of early voting locations and hours in Fairfax County >

Fairfax City residents can vote early in person through October 31st:

• Fairfax City Hall
  • 10455 Armstrong Street, Fairfax, VA 22030
  • Monday-Friday from 8:30am-5pm (excluding holidays); Saturdays: October 24th & October 31st from 8:30am-5pm; Sundays: October 18th & October 25th from 12-5pm
  • Voters should check the Fairfax City government website to verify the location and hours before heading to the polls.
  • Click here to learn more about early voting in Fairfax City >

Not Registered Yet? There’s Still Time!

Virginia voters can register or update their registration through Friday, October 23rd.

• Click here to register/verify online via the Dept. of Elections’ Citizen Portal >
  

Same-day registration is also available at any early voting location, though voters who register on or after October 24th will cast a provisional ballot.

• Click here to learn more about same-day voter registration and provisional ballots >

If you live on campus at Mason, you can register to vote as a Virginia resident. For more information stop by a Mason Votes table at an upcoming tabling event or reach out to the Mason Voting Ambassadors via email at [email protected].

Your George Mason University Student Photo ID is welcomed when voting early or 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.

• Click here to learn more about acceptable voter ID in Virginia >

NOTE: Only students registered at their current Fairfax on-campus address may vote at the University Precinct located in Merten Hall on Election Day. All other Fairfax County or City registered voters must vote at their home precincts.

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Got Questions?

Refer to our “Quick Guide to Voting as a Mason Student” to learn more about registration, early voting, voting as a veteran, accessible voting, and more: masonvotes.gmu.edu/a-quick-guide-to-voting-as-a-mason-student

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Slider photo by: Breeze Lawless

SCOTUS Blocks New Restrictions for 2026 Elections

By: Andrew Nick, Mason Votes Contributor

There’s been a lot of confusion lately about mail-in ballots, but voters planning to utilize this popular method can take comfort in the Supreme Court’s September 14th order that declined to allow a new rule designed to limit mail-in ballot delivery by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to take effect.

In the brief and unsigned order by the court, Justice Kavanaugh concurred with the majority, noting that to let the new rule take effect in the current election cycle would be “arbitrary and capricious…because state and local election officials do not have sufficient time to reasonably implement the rule before the elections.”

Many appreciate the convenience of voting by mail: not having to drive to the polls, stand in line, or contend with bad weather. The method has been around for decades, but its popularity has increased since COVID-19. According to the States United Democracy Center, one in three Americans voted by mail in 2022 and 2024, spanning millions of voters across political parties—18% of Republicans and 26% of Democrats.

In August, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that enlisted the United States Postal Service in an attempt to alter the process. The executive order called for “a unique Intelligent Mail barcode” for each ballot’s outer envelope and would have limited eligibility to vote by mail to individuals whose name appeared on new State Citizenship Lists: “USPS shall not transmit mail-in or absentee ballots from any individual unless those individuals have been enrolled on a State-specific list.”

In early September, an anonymous whistleblower warned Congress that the technology required for USPS to implement the new requirements was untested and could potentially lead to “catastrophic failure” and “derail the midterm elections.” One alleged flaw in the ballot verification process could have resulted in entire batches of ballots getting disqualified if just one ballot failed to match against State Citizen Lists, potentially disenfranchising thousands of voters over a single error.

Then the legal battle began. Judge Indira Talwani of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued three blocks on the measure, ending with a permanent block on September 4th. The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to step in on September 6th and they blocked the executive order in a seven-to-two ruling on September 14th. Justices Alito and Thomas were the lone dissenters.

In Virginia, voters apply online to vote by mail and have the option to join the absentee list for future elections, ensuring a ballot appears every cycle.

The deadline to register to vote and request a mail-in ballot is Friday, October 23rd.

Click here to request your mail-in ballot in VA >

Click here to register/verify using the VA Dept. of Elections’ Citizen Portal >

Three Options for Fairfax Voters

By: Tiffany Boggs, Mason Votes Contributor

With the 2026 midterm elections less than 40 days away, voters in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District face a choice between three candidates to represent them for the next two years in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Nicknamed “the people’s house,” the U.S. House of Representatives is the lower house of Congress that works with the Senate to pass legislation. As outlined in Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, each state elects their own representatives “every second year” and the number of members each state can send to Washington is apportioned based on population.

Voters in the 11th Congressional District face a choice this November between incumbent Democrat James Walkinshaw, Republican Arthur G. Purves, and Green Party candidate Dianne Blais.

James Walkinshaw’s Leadership Vision

James Walkinshaw is the incumbent in the race and previously served for over a decade as chief of staff to the late Congressman Gerry Connolly. After Connolly’s passing in 2025, Walkinshaw won a special election to fill the seat occupied by Connolly for 16 years.

• Preventing domestic violence & protecting survivors: “James is working to reauthorize and strengthen the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) by improving services for victims, addressing the needs of underserved communities, and protecting the rights of non-citizen survivors to seek immigration relief.”
• Reducing gun violence: “In Congress, he supports legislation to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, close the Charleston loophole, require background checks on all gun sales, and opposes federal concealed carry mandates that override state protections.”
• Investing in education: “In Congress, James fights to protect the Department of Education, fully fund IDEA and Title I, and increase support for military-connected students through the federal Impact Aid program.”
• Expanding access to affording housing: “James believes that health care is a human right—not a privilege reserved for the wealthy or well-connected. As Congressman Connolly’s Chief of Staff, he helped to pass the Affordable Care Act, extending coverage to millions of Americas. During Trump’s first term, he helped Connolly beat back Trump’s repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Last year, he fought to prevent Republicans from doubling the healthcare premiums for middle class families.”
• Defending reproductive freedom: “James believes that access to comprehensive reproductive health care—including contraception, IVF, abortion, prenatal care, and cancer screenings—is a fundamental right. As Chairman of the Board’s Legislative Committee, he led the successful effort to include protection of reproductive freedom in Fairfax County’s legislative platform and supported County efforts to expand access in the wake of the Dobbs decision.”

To learn more about Walkinshaw’s campaign, visit: jameswalkinshaw.org

Arthur G. Purves’ Leadership Vision

Arthur Purves is a retired computer programmer and has been president of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance for 29 years. He previously served as treasurer for the Fairfax Committee of 100, was a member of the Fairfax County Meals Tax Task Force and Hunter Mill Citizen Budget Committee, and served on three Fairfax County Public Schools advisory committees.

• Vet immigrants before they enter: “Do not let in the drug- and sex-traffickers and gang members from whom other immigrants are trying to flee.”
• Poverty and mental illness cause gun violence: “That complex gun laws reduce crime is debatable. What’s not debatable is that these laws turn law-abiding citizens into inadvertent felons. To end gun violence, fix schools and clean up food. Public schools perpetuate poverty and as already noted ultra-processed food causes mental illness.”
• Abortion: “Keep abortion legal for those rare cases but encourage marriage. Ninety percent of abortions are performed on healthy mothers with healthy babies. Calling abortion the “Fundamental Right to Reproductive Freedom” is Orwellian. Abortion cancels reproduction. Call legal abortion what it is: Permission to take a life.”
• Public schools perpetuate poverty: “Students that have not mastered reading and arithmetic by third grade rarely catch up and graduate unable to compete in the information age. The high school minority student achievement gap first appears in third grade. For a century public schools have embraced “progressive education”, which was anti-phonics and anti-drill, so students depending on classroom instruction do not master the basics. Those who do are tutored at home.”
• The alternative to big government is self-sufficient families: “Tax hikes make families less self-sufficient. Bring back good jobs. Have schools that actually teach reading and arithmetic. Stop chronic disease: Eat real food. End the war on fossil fuels to reduce gas and food prices.”

To learn more about Purves’ campaign, visit: votepurves.org

Dianne Blais ’ Leadership Vision

Dianne Blais earned a degree in economics from Mary Washington and served as a vice president in the private sector. In addition to raising four children and hosting over 100 foster children, Blais has been active in numerous organizations including the League of Women Voters and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.

• “Wars and the preparation for wars have huge costs and have major environmental impacts besides eating up the money that should be spent here.”
• “A GreenUS means that our taxes will be money be used for us citizens. We can improve our country so much by spending money here rather than trying to bend countries to our will. We can improve daily life by lowering stress about money fears and health. We can stop inflation and decrease the huge wealth discrepancy.”
• “Although the Green Party isn’t a peace organization per se, its platform emphasizes peace. The Green Party’s Platform combines my domestic and international platform.”
• “I want: A moratorium of data centers, free public transit, open borders, improved incarceration, and a basic return to pre-2025 status quo. I’d like rank choice voting and proportional representation, and more people joining the Green Party.”
• “Ralph Nader and Jill Stein are models she tries to emulate.”

To learn more about Blais’ campaign, visit: dianneforcongress.org

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Early voting in Virginia began Friday, September 18th and voters can apply for mail-in ballots, through Friday, October 23rd.

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

Register/verify and find your assigned polling location using Virgnia’s official Citizen’s Portal: vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation

Your voice matters! Make a plan to vote and help shape your future.

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James Walkinshaw Photo Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Congressman_Walkinshaw_Official_Portrait.jpg, cropped. Public domain.

Arthur Perves Photo Credit: Arthur Purves for Congress Facebook, cropped.

Dianne Blais Photo Credit: Dianne for Congress Facebook, cropped.

If You Live On Campus in Fairfax, You Can Vote @ Merten Hall!

By: Erica Munisar, Mason Votes Contributor

Mason students living on the Fairfax campus, including Masonvale and Presidents Park, can register to vote on campus at Merten Hall on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd from 6am to 7pm (anyone still in line at 7pm will be allowed to vote).

The deadline to register to vote or verify an existing registration in Virginia is Friday, October 23rd. Click here to register/verify online via the Dept. of Elections’ Citizen Portal >

If you miss the registration deadline, you can register through Election Day using same-day registration and vote using a provisional ballot. Click here to learn more about same-day registration and provisional ballots >

Students living off-campus are encouraged to look up their assigned polling location early, as apartments only a few miles away from campus have different voting locations and you must update your address each time you move. Click here to find your assigned polling place >

To help simplify things, here is a list of popular off-campus housing areas with their assigned polling locations (precinct name in parentheses):

• Fairfax Campus Residence Halls, Masonvale, and Presidents Park (134 UNIVERSITY):
  Merten Hall, 4441 George Mason Blvd, Fairfax, VA 22030
• The Flats On University, Layton Hall Apartments, and The Flats at Boulevard VI (PRECINCT 2 – FAIRFAX CITY):
  Stacy C. Sherwood Center, 3740 Blenheim Blvd, Fairfax, VA 22030
• Mason Townhouses, Avalon Bay Communities, Eaves Apartments, and West Wood Oaks (PRECINCT 1 – FAIRFAX CITY):
  Fairfax Presbyterian Church, 10723 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22030
• Robinson Apartments (121 VILLA):
  Fairfax Villa Elementary School, 10900 Santa Clara Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030
• The Main on University (121 VILLA):
  Fairfax Villa Elementary School, 10900 Santa Clara Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030
• Fairfax Square Apartments (PRECINCT 3 – FAIRFAX CITY):
  Daniels Run Elementary School, 3705 Blenheim Blvd, Fairfax, VA 22030
• Scout on the Circle (PRECINCT 5 – FAIRFAX CITY):
  Fairfax High School, 3501 Lion Run, Fairfax, VA 22030
• Fairfax Circle Villa Apartments (709 MOSBY #1):
  Mosaic Elementary School, 9819 Five Oaks Rd, Fairfax, VA 22031
• Pinewood Plaza Apartments (711 PRICE):
  Mantua Elementary School, 9107 Horner Ct, Fairfax, VA 22031

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

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

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You can vote early Sept. 18-Oct. 31!

Click here to learn more about Fairfax County in-person early voting >

Click here to learn more about Fairfax City early and absentee voting >

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Still have questions?

Refer to our “Quick Guide to Voting as a Mason Student” to learn more about registration, early voting, voting as a veteran, accessible voting, and more: http://masonvotes.gmu.edu/a-quick-guide-to-voting-as-a-mason-student/

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Photos by: Mitchell Richtmyre

Are YOU Registered to VOTE?

By: Breeze Lawless, Mason Votes Contributor

In honor of National Voter Registration Day and Disability Voting Rights Week, student organizations and community volunteers worked together to hold a voter registration drive outside the Johnson Center on Tuesday, September 15th that featured on-site registration opportunities and resources to educate student voters about the upcoming midterm elections.

The event was organized by Mason Votes and the Office of Community Engagement and Civic Learning (CECiL) with participation from Mason Voting Ambassadors, NAACP GMU chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the Fairfax chapter of the League of Women Voters, and Rev Up Virginia, an organization focusing on empowering disabled voters.

“The main purpose of voter registration drives is to help all students who are eligible to vote register and exercise their right to participate in the democratic process,” said freshman Mason Voting Ambassador Elizabeth Navarro. “We primarily aim to guide students through the registration process, answer their questions and make sure they have the information and resources they need to participate.”

Don’t stress if you missed this week’s event, as there are plenty of upcoming events and opportunities to register to vote on campus before the October 23rd deadline.

Register to vote or verify your existing registration online anytime by utilizing the Virginia Dept. of Elections’ Citizen Portal: vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation

Follow @mason_votes on Instagram to learn more about what’s happening on campus!

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Photos by: Breeze Lawless

VA Senate Candidates Offer Competing Visions for the Commonwealth

By: Tiffany Boggs, Mason Votes Contributor

With the 2026 midterm elections less than 50 days away, Virginians prepare to head to the polls to decide who will represent the Commonwealth in the United States Senate.

Nicknamed “the world’s greatest deliberative body,” the U.S. Senate plays an essential Constitutional role in creating legislation that impacts daily life for all Americans. As outlined in Article I, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, each state gets two Senators, giving equal representation to every state regardless of size.

Virginians face a choice this November between incumbent Senator Mark Warner (D) and retired Army Major General Bert Mizusawa (R). Both candidates come from different backgrounds and offer competing visions to serve the Commonwealth in the U.S. Senate for the next six years.

Mark Warner’s Leadership Vision

Incumbent Senator Mark Warner (D) is a former governor seeking reelection for a fourth term in the U.S. Senate in 2026. Key issues in his campaign are public safety, healthcare affordability, the economy, national security, and artificial intelligence policy.

• Crime and Public Safety: “Warner supports a comprehensive approach to crime that focuses on preventing violence, holding offenders accountable, and ensuring law enforcement has the tools and resources they need to do their jobs while upholding civil rights and the rule of law.”
• Economy: “Warner is focused on lowering costs for families, growing wages, and creating an economy that rewards work, encourages innovation, and expands opportunity across every corner of Virginia.”
• Health Care: “Warner believes that there’s still a long way to go to improve our health care system, and that we need to move towards a universal coverage model so that we can stop arguing about who deserves coverage, and focus on lowering costs for all.”
• National Security: “Warner works to ensure that the U.S. is prepared for the evolving threats of the 21st century, tackling novel challenges around AI, technology competition, access to rare earth minerals, and more.”
• Technology: “Warner believes technology competition is the defining issue of the 21st century, and that America needs to be the global leader on emerging technologies to promote national security and remain economically competitive.”
• Taxes: “Warner believes our tax code should be fair and transparent, helping working families keep more of what they earn while ensuring the wealthiest Americans and corporations are paying their fair share.”

To learn more about Warner’s campaign and initiatives, visit: warner.senate.gov

Bert Mizusawa’s Leadership Vision

Bert Mizusawa (R) is a retired major general of the United States Army seeking his first term in the U.S. Senate in 2026. Key issues in his campaign are fiscal responsibility, lowering healthcare costs, defending the military, and nuclear energy.

• Fiscal Responsibility: “I will focus on balancing the budget to protect future generations from financial ruin.”
• Affordability: “I will lower the tax on selling your home, lower the tax burden on Virginia families, and help bring down the cost of living.”
• Lowering Health Care Costs: “I will lower healthcare costs for Virginians. That starts with holding insurance companies accountable and funding for rural hospitals.”
• Defending the Military: “As a four-time combat veteran with 41 years in uniform, I understand the difficult issues facing veterans, their families and survivors. I will protect veterans’ benefits, expand access to quality healthcare, and ensure veterans aren’t stuck waiting on Washington for the care they earned.”
• Energy: “Nuclear power is clean, cheap, reliable and safe. Today’s nuclear technology is, as they say, not your father’s technology. I support bringing new nuclear power on-line to slash the ever-increasing energy costs for American households.”
• Stopping Corruption: “For too long, members of Congress have gotten rich while the people they represent fall further behind. As Senator, I will ban congressional stock trading, so politicians put their constituents first, not themselves.”

To learn more about Mizusawa’s campaign and initiatives, visit: bertforsenate.com

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Early voting in Virginia begins Friday, September 18th and voters can apply for mail-in ballots, through Friday, October 23rd.

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

Register/verify and find your assigned polling location using Virgnia’s official Citizen’s Portal: vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation

Your voice matters! Make a plan to vote and help shape your future.

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Mark Warner Photo Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mark_Warner_2025.jpg, cropped. Public domain.

Bert Mizusawa Photo Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mizusawa.jpg?, cropped. Public domain.

25 Years Later, 9/11 Brings the Mason Community Together in Service

By: Tiffany Boggs, Mason Votes Contributor

On September 11, 2001, America changed forever. Twenty‑five years ago, the United States endured one of the most devastating terrorist attacks in our history, cutting short thousands of innocent lives. Many students and young Americans of today were not born when the attacks took place, while older adults still remember every detail like it was yesterday. Even a quarter century after the events of that fateful Tuesday, the aftermath of the tragedy continues to ripple through our society in ways both good and bad.

Check out today’s post by Fourth Estate to see how Mason’s official student newspaper covered the events of 9/11 just a few days after the attack.

But whether you remember watching 9/11 unfold in real time or learned about it in history class, the anniversaries of September 11th offer us all an opportunity to come together as a community to honor those we lost and reflect on how it changed us.

Over the years, Mason has observed 9/11 by holding candlelight vigils and asking students to share memories in their own words, but the 9/11 Day of Service has endured as a positive tradition when the Mason Nation can remember and give back at the same time.

Mason Votes attended the 14th Annual 9/11 Day of Service on Thursday, September 10, 2026 and spoke with attendees to get their thoughts on the 25th anniversary.

What does the Mason community remember after 25 years?

Many faculty were young adults and teenagers on 9/11; they shared their personal experiences and how it felt 25 years ago.

“It’s a day I’ll never forget,” said Christine Landoll, Professor of Practice and Director of Business Engagement at the Costello College of Business. Landoll worked in New York City’s Midtown in 2001 and recalled the chaos of everyone trying to get home while evacuating the city amidst the dust and smoke that engulfed lower Manhattan. She also remembered the fear she felt trying to get in touch with her mother who was working in the White House while the target of Flight 93 (that later crashed in Pennsylvania) was still unknown. “It was just a humbling, sad, impactful day,” she said.

“I was incredibly frightened that day,” said Joshua Braaten, Assistant Director of Student Success Coaching. Braaten was in middle school in 2001. “I remember being in Northern Virginia, there were a lot of families that were picking up my peers from school, so it was rather chaotic,” he said. He recalled riding the bus home seeing a fighter jet flying across the sky heading towards Washington, D.C. “I remember turning on the TV when I got home and seeing a lot of hurt, and negativity, and death in New York and Arlington,” Braaten said.

Some faculty members who vividly remember that day carry deep memories that they will never forget; reflecting on 9/11 brought strong emotions to the surface.

University Life Project Manager Susan Pilley was a junior in high school on 9/11. “My husband is an army veteran. He actually did three deployments; went to Iraq, went into Afghanistan,” she said with a slight redness in her eyes and cracking in her voice. “It’s very personal to me for all the things he did for service and all the people that we’ve lost.”

“I strongly believe that 9/11 should be a day of service and bring everyone out together to just remember and take that moment of silence. And really think about how we can help others and serve others at our own capacity,” Pilley said.

The 25th anniversary of 9/11 offers us all an opportunity to honor those we lost, celebrate the heroism of the first responders, and reflect on how traumatic events of the past are still shaping our future. Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, young or old, liberal or conservative, the events of 9/11 still have the power to unite us as Americans with a shared purpose. In the words of poet Maya Angelou:

“We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.”

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Slider photos courtesy of: 911day.gmu.edu