Category: Top Stories

Tim Walz vs. J.D. Vance

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) will debate Ohio Senator J.D. Vance (R) for the first and only time tonight at the CBS Broadcast Center in Midtown Manhattan. This is widely believed to be the final debate of the 2024 campaign, so the stakes are high for both candidates to leave voters with a positive impression of their respective tickets.

CBS News recently released the official debate rules, noting that the candidates “will be introduced by the moderators beginning with the candidate of the incumbent party, meaning Walz will be introduced first.” There will be no opening statements or live audience.

According to the debate rules, “the candidate who was asked the question will have two minutes to answer, and the other candidate will be allowed two minutes to respond. Following that, each candidate will have one minute for additional rebuttals. And the moderators may at their discretion give candidates an additional minute each to continue a topic.”

Click here to learn more about each VP candidate’s position on the issues via guides.vote >

There is a Mason VP debate watch party happening on campus (scroll down for details), so consider joining your fellow Patriots to watch this historic political event in community with others!

VP Debate Details:

• Host: CBS News
• Date: Tuesday, October 1, 2024
• Time: 9:00pm EDT (the debate will run 90 minutes with two four-minute commercial breaks)
  
• Location: CBS Broadcast Center in New York, NY
• Moderators: Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan of CBS News
• Where to Watch: The debate will air live on CBS News. Find your local station here. Click here for more viewing options >

VP Presidential Debate Watch Party:

• Date: Tuesday, October 1, 2024
• Time: 8:45pm-11pm
• Location: Johnson Center Atrium (Fairfax Campus)
• Host: University Life/Mason Votes
• Free pizza!

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Photos credits:

Walz Official Portrait: https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-kit/

Vance Official Portrait: https://www.vance.senate.gov/about/

Both images are in the public domain in the United States because it is a work prepared by an officer or employee of the United States Government as part of that person’s official duties under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the US Code. These files have been identified as being free of known restrictions under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights.

VIDEO: Watch a recap of the watch parties and hear student reactions

Students, faculty, staff, and community members gathered at multiple debate watch parties on Mason’s Fairfax campus to witness the first-ever meeting of 2024 presidential candidates Kamala Harris (D) and Donald Trump (R). With less than two months to go until Election Day, this much-anticipated debate was the first chance for voters to evaluate the candidates side-by-side on the same stage as they responded to questions on the economy, immigration, reproductive rights, health care, foreign policy, and more.

ABC News anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis moderated the debate live from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, PA on Tuesday, September 10th. Per the debate rules published by ABC News, the debate lasted 90 minutes (with two commercial breaks) and each candidate was granted “two-minute answers to questions, two-minute rebuttals, and one extra minute for follow-ups, clarifications, or responses.”

While Mason Votes’ debate watch party was happening in the Johnson Center, students from Divine Nine student organizations gathered in The Hub at an event hosted by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Student reporters attended both events on behalf of Mason Votes to document the events, capture reactions, and learn more about why students are planning to vote in 2024.

Video Link: youtube.com/watch?v=pNi6zefjWRs

Watch Party #1: Johnson Center Atrium (hosted by Mason Votes)

Watch Party #2: The Hub VIP Meeting Room 2 (hosted by Kappa Alpha Psi)

It remains to be seen if Harris and Trump will face off again before Election Day (so far Harris says yes and Trump says no), but vice presidential candidates Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance (R) have both confirmed their participation in a single VP debate hosted by CBS News that is scheduled for Tuesday, October 1st.

Stay tuned for more 2024 election coverage by Mason Votes!

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Photos by: Mitchell Richtmyre

Video by: Mitchell Richtmyre & Mathilda Tataw

Interviews by: Mathilda Tataw

Voiceover: Ximena Espinoza

Video Editor: Patrice Pannell

Vote Early In-Person in VA Sept. 20-Nov. 2

Early voting in Virginia for the November 5th general election begins today, Friday, September 20th. The early voting period begins 45 days before Election Day and ends the Saturday before Election Day (November 2nd).

According to the Virginia Department of Elections website, “all general registrar’s offices offer early voting. For all early voting and ballot dropbox information, contact the general registrar’s office for the jurisdiction where you are registered… Some jurisdictions may offer early voting in other locations in addition to the registrar’s office.”

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

Click here to find early in person voting locations in your county >

Click here to check your registration status or request a mail-in ballot >

A few tips on early voting from the Virginia Department of Elections:

• You do not have to have a reason or fill out an application to vote early.
• At the registrar’s office or satellite voting location, you must provide your name and address and show an acceptable form of ID or sign an ID Confirmation Statement (your Mason ID will be accepted!) Click here to view a list of acceptable IDs >
• Accessible equipment and/or curbside voting is available upon request.

 

The deadline to register to vote in Virginia is Tuesday, October 15th, so make sure to register or verify your existing registration as soon as possible.

Note that the voter registration deadline is different in each state, so do your research early and confirm that you are eligible to vote on or before November 5th. If you need to register in another state, visit vote.gov and select your home state or territory to access local voter registration deadlines, forms, and information.

Click here for information about voting as a Mason student >

It’s never too early to register/verify and make a plan to VOTE!

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

The Mason community reacts to the 2024 presidential debate

By: Brandyn Fragosa, Fourth Estate Senior News Reporter

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

Mason Votes hosted their 2024 Presidential Debate Watch Party for the Mason community at the entrance of the Johnson Center Atrium on Sept. 10. The watch party showcased the first debate between candidates Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on topics concerning the American public.

The community event was facilitated by Mason Votes Advisor Alissa Karton who established the organization in 2007 alongside other Mason students, faculty and staff to “create a university-wide umbrella organization… promoting information around voting and elections.”

Since 2007, the tradition of hosting a presidential debate watch party has allowed members of the Mason community to get involved in the upcoming elections and learn more about the candidates and their stances.

With only 55 days left until Election Day, a large crowd gathered in the JC Atrium to watch candidates Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J Trump debate each other for the first time.

The debate was filmed live and hosted by ABC at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The debate was moderated by David Muir, anchor and managing editor for ABC World News Tonight, and Linsey Davis, anchor for World News Tonight Sunday and ABC News Live Prime.

The moderators asked each candidate topics regarding the economy, abortion, immigration and border security, environment, foreign affairs, health care and climate change with each candidate having “two-minute answers to questions, two-minute rebuttals, and one extra minute for follow-ups, clarifications, or responses,” as stated in the debate rules.

During the 90-minute debate, community members cheered, laughed and groaned as the candidates answered questions and critiqued each other’s time in office.

Among the students watching the debate was Vice President of the College Republicans at GMU senior Jay Shuey, who shared his concern over the lack of questions regarding constitutional rights.

“The one thing that kind of made me a bit concerned was the lack of talk about constitutional rights,” Shuey said. “There was no talk about freedom of speech on college campuses, there was no talk about the Second Amendment… what are you going to do about the Fourth Amendment, are you going to do anything about government spying… these debates are never long enough… we could ask questions about every constitutional amendment and what their thoughts are on them because if they don’t have an answer to that, then it’s like ok, that may be an issue.”

“Let’s talk about Bruen [New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen], how that affects everybody because we just had a school shooting last week, why aren’t we talking about that,” Shuey added.

When it came to the candidate’s ability to answer questions, senior Emilee Brewer said, “Overall, I think sometimes there were moments when each candidate did not directly answer a question, but more in generalizations. The candidates spent more time on the blame game than proposing a plan to move forward.

Given this election is looking to pull in higher young voter numbers, I think it would have been beneficial for more in-depth conversations related to the future of this country and the current everyday struggles faced today,” Brewer said. “Where do the candidates stand on policy on gas and grocery prices, campus protesting, social security, tax on tips, etc.? A topic I would have liked covered was voter identification and where each of the candidates stand on that.”

Despite her concerns, Brewer still plans to vote in the upcoming 2024 election.

“It is so important to vote, especially young adults like myself,” Brewer said. “I want my voice heard this November, as should anyone else.”

As attendees left the JC atrium following the candidates’ closing statements, Karton said, “I hope that [the Mason community has] some clarity and motivation on getting engaged… I hope they get awareness and education and I hope they can have good conversations with their peers.”

To learn more about ways to get involved with the upcoming election, visit masonvotes.gmu.edu for voter guides and information on becoming a registered voter.

“I think if you are able to vote, personally, I think it’s important to exercise that right,” Karton said. “If people fought long and hard to give us that right to vote, I see it as a civic responsibility.”

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Slider photo by: Mitchell Richtmyre/Mason Votes

Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump

Vice President Kamala Harris (D) will face off against former President Donald Trump (R) for the first (and possibly only) time tomorrow night in Philadelphia, PA. With less than two months until Election Day, this will be the first chance for voters to evaluate the candidates together on the same stage.

ABC News recently released the official debate rules, noting that Trump won the virtual coin toss and chose to offer his closing statement last.

There are at least two Mason debate watch parties happening on campus (scroll down for details), so consider joining your fellow Patriots to watch this historic political event in community with others!

Debate Details:

• Host: ABC News
• Date: Tuesday, September 10, 2024
• Time: 9:00pm EDT (the debate will be 90 minutes with two commercial breaks)
  
• Location: National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, PA
• Moderators: David Muir and Linsey Davis of ABC News
• Where to Watch: The debate will air live on ABC News and is available to stream via ABC.com, ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu. SiriusXM users can listen to the debate on Channel 370. Several other networks will simulcast the debate live, so check your local listings.

Presidential Debate Watch Party #1:

• Date: Tuesday, September 10, 2024
• Time: 8:30pm-11pm
• Location: Johnson Center Atrium (Fairfax Campus)
• Host: University Life/Mason Votes
• Free pizza!

Presidential Debate Watch Party #2:

• Date: Tuesday, September 10, 2024
• Time: 7pm-11pm
• Location: The Hub VIP Meeting Room 2 (Fairfax Campus)
• Host: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
• Join members of the “Divine 9” to watch Trump vs. Harris!
  

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Slider photos credits:

Trump: Craighead, S., photographer. (2017) Official portrait of President Donald J. Trump. 2017, October 6. [Photograph] cropped. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2017656484/

Harris: Jackson, Lawrence, photographer. (2021) Official portrait of Vice President Kamala Harris. 2021, March 5. [Photograph] cropped. Retrieved from whitehouse.gov, https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/vice-president-harris/. According to whitehouse.gov, “government-produced materials appearing on this site are not copyright protected” and this photograph is considered to be in the public domain.

ABC debate image used for promotional purposes to encourage viewers to watch via ABC News platforms.

Get Engaged! Mason Votes in 2024

Mason Votes partnered with GMU-TV to create the video below featuring Mason students sharing important voter information and why they plan to vote on (or before) Tuesday, November 5th.

Whatever the top issues are that inspire you to vote, it’s important to make your voice heard and participate in the 2024 election.

As the video says, “George Mason University students have always been at the forefront of driving change. We’re known for our dedication to building a better society. We do that by voting.”

Make sure you are registered and have a plan to vote so you can be part of the “longstanding Mason tradition of civic engagement and robust voter participation” this November!

vimeo.com/1001287497

Deadline to register to vote in Virginia:

Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

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

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

If you have already registered in Virginia:

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

If you need to register in Virginia:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

When registering or updating your existing Virginia voter registration:

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

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

If you need to register outside Virginia:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Apply Now:

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

Click here to download a PDF with more info >

Dems Hold First Campaign Rally of 2024 at Mason

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Photos by: Erica Munisar/Fourth Estate

Here’s What You Need to Know:

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

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

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

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

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

 

Candidates on Virginia’s Republican primary ballot:

• Chris Christie

• Ryan L. Binkley

• Vivek Ramaswamy

• Donald J. Trump

• Ron D. DeSantis

• Nikki R. Haley

Candidates on Virginia’s Democratic primary ballot:

• Marianne Williamson

• Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

• Dean Benson Phillips

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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