Student Media Coverage of Virginia’s 2023 Elections
Watch the Full Broadcast on YouTube:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv6j5ItxOI8)
Individual Segments:
Category: Top Stories
Make Your Voice Heard in 2023
Election Day is Tuesday, November 7th in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Early voting has concluded, but you can still vote in person on Election Day.
Polling places are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Anyone in line at 7:00 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
Here are a few reminders and resources to help you prepare for a trip to the polls:
- Find your assigned polling place: elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/polling-place-lookup/
- Remember to bring an acceptable form of voter ID to the polls. Your Mason ID will be accepted in either physical card or mobile format. However, a photo of your physical ID card will not be accepted. If you forget your ID on Election Day, you will be asked to sign an “ID Confirmation Statement” affirming your identity.
- Read up on same day registration if you missed the traditional voter registration deadline. Mason students who missed the October 16th registration deadline but currently live on campus can utilize the new “same day registration” option to vote on-campus at Merten Hall on Election Day using a provisional ballot. You will be asked to provide your on-campus residential address and Hub mailing address (4450 Rivanna River Way, PMB #, Fairfax, VA 22030), so make sure to have that information handy on Election Day.
- Review your sample ballot: fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/sample-ballots
- If you need it, curbside voting and other assistance is available. Learn more about accessible voting: elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/accessible-voting/#curbside
- Check out the Virginia Department of Elections’ Voter FAQs if you have specific questions: elections.virginia.gov/registration/election-voter-faq/
- If you requested to vote absentee, follow all instructions to properly vote your ballot and submit before the deadline. Absentee ballots must be returned in person on Election Day or postmarked by Tuesday, November 7th and received by Monday, November 13th at noon.
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
2023 Virginia Legislative Elections Guide
All 140 seats in Virginia’s legislature will be up for grabs in November. The Republicans currently control the House of Delegates 51-46; the Democrats control the Senate 22-18.
Your vote will determine Virginia’s future.
Here’s a look at what both parties have done (download a PDF or click on the image below to enlarge):
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guides.vote is an independent project hosted by nonprofit Youth Service America.
Join Student Government at Kiosk A in the Johnson Center Atrium every day this week to learn more about next Tuesday’s election.
From the organizers: “Come learn about what’s going to be on the ballot for this upcoming general election! Talk to professors and gain resources so that you can Vote Smart!”
VOTING REMINDER: Mason students who missed the Oct. 16th voter registration deadline but currently live on campus can utilize the new “same day registration” option to vote on-campus at Merten Hall on Election Day (Tuesday, November 7, 2023) using a provisional ballot. You will be asked to provide your on-campus residential address, so make sure to bring that information with you on Election Day.
Learn More: masonvotes.gmu.edu/2023/10/17/forgot-to-register-by-oct-16th-you-can-still-vote/
Still have questions? Always refer to the Virginia Department of Elections website for the latest and most accurate voter information: elections.virginia.gov
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Event Details:
Vote Smart!
Date: Monday, October 30 through Friday, Novermber 3, 2023
Time: 2pm-4pm
Location: Mon-Tues @ Wilkins Plaza; Wed-Fri @ JC Atrium kiosk
Mason360 Links: cglink.me/2d7/r2252567
Host: Student Government | Website | View More Events
Your Vote Counts Whether or Not You Use It
By: Madalyn Godfrey, Mason Votes Contributor
Election Day 2023 is coming up in just a few short weeks (Tuesday, November 7) and early voting is already underway in Virginia. However, just because this is an “off-year” election, doesn’t mean it is unimportant.
In the Braddock District (home to George Mason University) alone, there are 14 seats up for grabs that Mason students who live on campus have a chance to vote for on or before Election Day.
Off-year elections often face the lowest voter turnout among registered voters despite the need to fill numerous elected positions. According to Fairfax County’s Office of Elections, of the 79,564 active voters registered in 2019, less than 50% cast a ballot. This means that local representatives across the county had a seat for four years that was determined by less than half of the voting-aged population they were representing.
Looking at it from a student’s perspective, that’s like electing a group leader by a margin of 2-to-1 when only three of the five people in the group showed up to vote.
Is that fair? Yes, even if it may not seem so.
The reason for this can be simply put: a vote counts whether or not someone uses it. By passively abstaining from voting, a person leaves the decision up to those who do participate.
While this may not have a huge effect on the voting system as a whole, it can significantly impact the outcome of an election. A candidate can easily win or lose based on the number of abstaining votes. Unlike Presidential or Midterm elections, which have some of the highest voter turnout, local government elections have the most direct impact on members of a community.
According to The White House website, “[local government] generally take responsibility for parks and recreation services, police and fire departments, housing services, emergency medical services, municipal courts, transportation services and public works.”
In essence, local representatives determine all the resources provided in an area with voters aiding in how these resources are managed, funded, and delivered. Deciding to vote or not determines whether these resources meet the needs of a community, ultimately creating long-lasting impacts on how a community thrives. This is especially true for the Mason community.
On-campus students at Mason have the opportunity to decide who they want as their local representative. By registering for a ballot with their Hub mailing address and voting at Merten Hall, students can influence the change they want to see for campus and the surrounding area.
Change happens with every election, including off-year local elections, whether or not a person decides to cast a ballot. Don’t rely on others to make impactful long-lasting decisions. Instead, take the initiative and exercise your right to vote!
Learn more about what’s on the ballot in Fairfax: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/sample-ballots
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Madalyn Godfrey works as a Communication and Community Outreach Assistant for Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
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Slider photo by: Mimi Albano
Deadline to Register to Vote in Virginia is Monday, October 16, 2023.
Don’t Forget to Register or Verify:
elections.virginia.gov/registration
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. 16, 2023.
If you need to register in Virginia:
Qualifications for voter registration: US Citizen, resident of Virginia, and 18 years old on or before November 7, 2023 (born on or before November 7, 2005).
Voter Registration Deadline: Monday, October 16, 2023 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 >
Online: You may submit your registration and absentee ballot requests online 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. 7 General and Special Elections is Oct. 16 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.16, 2023.
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.
IMPORTANT NOTE for on-campus student voters in Fairfax:
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.
On-campus resident addresses on voter registration applications for Mason students can be provided in two ways (both are correct):
- ADDRESS OPTION #1: Provide the Hub mailing address (4450 Rivanna River Way, PMB #, Fairfax, VA 22030) as the address for Question #2 on the voter registration application, AND provide your current residence hall name and room number under Question #4 on the voter registration application.
- ADDRESS OPTION #2: Provide your current residence hall’s physical building address for Question #2 on the voter registration application, AND provide the Hub mailing address (4450 Rivanna River Way, PMB #, Fairfax, VA 22030) as the mailing address under 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 >
Click here to view examples of Address Option #1 & Address Option #2 >
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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
Watch President Washington’s video message to the Mason community on National Voter Registration Day 2023 >
Patriots,
You have a voice in determining the future of your community, state and country. Better yet, you have a vote. Voting is fundamental to our democracy and to your future as an engaged citizen.
That’s why each year I remind you about #NationalVoterRegistrationDay. That day is today. This is an opportunity for you to register to #Vote in the November 2023 elections.
The Virginia State Department of Elections now accepts the Mason Mobile ID, as well as a physical Mason ID, for voter identification.
Oct. 16 is the deadline in Virginia to register to vote, or to update an existing registration.
If you register with your campus address, you can vote at a polling place in Merten Hall, on the north end of the Fairfax Campus. @mason_votes can help you learn more about registering and about key issues and election-related events happening around Mason.
— President Gregory Washington (@presidentgregorywashington)
#NationalVoterRegistrationDay is Tuesday, September 19, 2023!
Are you registered?
Don’t forget to register to vote or update your existing registration. Learn more: elections.virginia.gov/registration
There’s no time like NOW to make sure you are registered to vote or to update your voter registration with your current address. Visit vote.gov to find out how.
Watch President Washington’s video message to the Mason community on National Voter Registration Day >
“According to U.S. Census data from 2020, as many as 1 in 4 eligible Americans are not registered to vote. Every year millions of Americans find themselves unable to vote because they miss a registration deadline, don’t update their registration, or aren’t sure how to register. National Voter Registration Day wants to make sure everyone has the opportunity to vote.”
Virginia residents can learn more and register via elections.virginia.gov/registration
Non-Virginia residents can find guidelines for their state via usa.gov/election-office
Qualifications for voter registration in Virginia:
- Be a resident of Virginia (a person who has come to Virginia for temporary purposes and intends to return to another state is not considered a resident for voting purposes).
- Be a U. S. Citizen.
- Be 18 years old (any person who is 17 years old and will be eighteen years of age at the next general election shall be permitted to register in advance and also vote in any intervening primary or special election).
- Not be registered and plan to vote in another state.
- Not currently declared mentally incompetent by a court of law.
- If convicted of a felony, your right to vote must have been restored.
More info about #NVRD from nationalvoterregistrationday.org: National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating our democracy. First observed in 2012, it has quickly gained momentum ever since. Nearly 4.7 million voters have registered to vote on the holiday to date. Celebrated every September, National Voter Registration Day seeks to create broad awareness of voter registration opportunities to reach tens of thousands of voters who may not register otherwise. The holiday has been endorsed by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), the National Association of State Election Directors (NASED), the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), and the National Association of Election Officials (The Election Center).
#MasonVotes #VOTE #NationalVoterRegistrationDay
Quick Guide to Voting as a Mason Student >
Students Return to In-Person Lobbying in 2023
By: Orlando Cabrera, Mason Votes Online Editorial Team
RICHMOND, VA—On a brisk January morning, two days after the start of the Spring semester, a bus pulls off East Broad Street onto Eleventh Street. The day begins in the East Reading Room of the Library of Virginia. Virginia Secretary of Education, Aimee Guidera, Senator Jeremy McPike, and Democratic Caucus Chair Charniele Herring served as the welcoming party for Mason students of varying backgrounds. This warm welcome by university representatives marked the tenth annual Mason Lobbies effort and the first in-person lobbying effort under President Washington’s administration.
Part-time legislature is an unpredictable game in the world of politics and Virginia’s system more so. With a biennial budget process on even years, the time dedicated to legislating is even more limited on the off years, reducing the effective governing time to 60 days every year. These constraints not only limit governing, but an important aspect of civic participation—advocacy.
Nonetheless, George Mason University administrators, government relations staff, and Student Government representatives gathered for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. Contending with limited time, an enthusiastic group of student activists and advocates were prepared to push Mason’s policy priorities across Capitol Hill. From the first moment stepping off the bus, Mason leadership was working to get to scheduled meetings in a timely manner, but also set walk-in meetings with legislators from across the commonwealth and the political spectrum.
“A lot of college-aged people today are very aware of voting and the importance of voting, so I think that’s square one of civic participation—is current events in government. But I think that events like Mason Lobbies take civic participation, especially for young people a little bit further,” reflected Student Government Chief of Staff Lauren Battey. The question on January 26th was what that step further would look like after a pandemic with new student leadership who had never experienced in-person advocacy in Richmond on the scale of Mason Lobbies.
Throughout the morning, Mason students and administrators traversed Capitol Hill, navigating the halls of the General Assembly’s temporary office space in the Pocahontas Building on the south end of the Capitol complex. Students quickly showed a talent and professional knack for speaking with legislators and their staff. The breadth of topics covered by these students was notable, ranging from university resources and student aid to LGBTQ+ visibility and housing affordability. More impressive was the dedication of students, particularly international and out-of-state students, to the University’s status as an affordable and intersectional institution for those looking to study in the nation’s capital region.
In a meeting with Senator Jeremy McPike, Mason students were engaged on issues ranging from University priorities to the dedication of the institution to refugees from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and other regions of concern.
The topics varied widely but the answer, according to student leaders, is the same—funding and affordable tuition. Senator McPike was receptive, expressing his support for the University as both an alumnus and a legislator.
“It’s been great to see the growth of Mason and the continued growth in diversity as well,” explained Senator McPike. “When I was there, I remember just being amazed and walking on campus and it was just everybody. I think the global campus has just continued to grow and thrive, so keep digging in!”
Following the first round of meetings, students began to traverse the Pocahontas Building, arranging walk-in meetings and attending subcommittee hearings. Student Body President Sophia Nguyen walked from desk to desk, approaching lawmakers and their staff for impromptu meetings. By the end of the morning, she roped five lawmakers into unscheduled meetings to discuss Mason’s needs.
Although Mason Lobbies is an effort to increase Mason’s institutional resources, it is also an opportunity for Student Government to advance its platform. In this first in-person Mason Lobbies since 2019, Ms. Nguyen sees no dead space between her policy priorities and the University’s needs. “I think of filling the funding gap as part of the solution to giving a voice to groups that are underserved,” explained Nguyen. “More funding means that we keep professors and staff here to grow stronger relationships between administration and student groups.”
When Nguyen ran to lead Mason’s student body on a platform of equity and inclusion, she anticipated her role as a leader to be the intermediary between underserved groups and administrators. She sees closing the funding disparity between public institutions across the commonwealth as a key step in her platform, creating an environment where Mason staff and administrators are incentivized to stay and and equipped to build ties with students and student organizations. She also has a lot of hope coming out of Mason Lobbies given increased civic participation among students.
“There is a huge difference between talking to administrators and these representatives because it seems like there is a huge step up,” Nguyen said in reference to the experience of lobbying in-person. “I do see good things coming out of Mason Lobbies, of course we had one of the biggest turnout in forever since we’ve had an in-person Mason Lobbies. So I’m expecting some good change to come from George Mason University, but I don’t have the right answer.”
On the third floor outside one of many House subcommittee rooms, Celine Apenteng stood against a wall on the phone with the executive board and student senate leaders to determine where participants could be most useful. Within moments, she began pacing toward the fourth floor to meet Mason’s Government Relations team and administrators to discuss the progress made throughout the morning before she and the executive board would be introduced before the chambers.
President Washington was equally occupied on Mason Lobbies Day with another audience. Following his early presence in Richmond as the day began, President Washington was bound back to the District of Columbia by late morning for a key meeting with President Biden regarding higher education initiatives ahead of the State of the Union. From Richmond to Washington, the University was covering its bases to ensure that students would continue to be supported and that investments in future students, faculty, and staff would support efforts to increase the university’s standing among Virginia institutions.
As the morning ended, Student Government Association executive board members made their way to the chambers of the House of Delegates and Virginia Senate. One-by-one the Senators and Delegates meandered back into their respective chambers, some with lunch in hand after a morning packed with meetings with Mason students and other interest groups. In the Senate, Lt. Governor Sears paced across the floor preparing with the clerk and greeting Senators as they entered. Within 20 minutes, the Senate reached a quorum and before addressing pending legislation, greeted groups visiting the Capitol with the warm welcome of their Senate. Moments later, the House of Delegates performed a similar function with other members of the board.
It would be disingenuous to call Mason Lobbies political hardball, but having students and administrators present has a positive effect on policy that cannot be understated. The activism of students and administrators to discuss the basic needs of the University and to increase the profile of an appropriations deficit is a way to humanize a deeply rooted inequity in the way that public institutions are funded. Mason Lobbies offers a face for university priorities, but a human consequence to the deficit between Virginia’s higher education institutions.
Mason’s success is as strong as its advocates, and an engaged student body—one that understands the full value of civic participation—is a strong tool in the arsenal for that success. Mason Lobbies, therefore, is an effective and essential form of softball politics that exposes the full effect of policy while providing an experience to engaged students and young leaders stepping into a unique political environment. One decade in, George Mason University’s lobbying effort is strong and well respected from Fairfax to Richmond.
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Photos by: Orlando Cabrera