Click on the image below to view a full-size version of this handy guide from the Campus Election Engagement Project (CEEP).
FAIRFAX, VA – George Mason students from all political parties came together on Wednesday, September 21st to “Rock the Vote” on North Plaza. The event was co-sponsored by the College Republicans, College Democrats, Student Government, and Mason Votes.
Student volunteers were on hand to register students and community members to vote, sign up for election reminders via text, listen to music, and of course, discuss politics.
“Statistics show that 8-10% more people are likely to cast their vote when reminded…we are giving this a shot through the ‘Commitment to Vote’ card, which allows us to contact students through text messages and emails to remind them to cast their vote on Election Day,” said Maria Salgado, a Mason Votes volunteer.
Mason Votes reminds all students that Election Day is less than 50 days away on November 8, 2016.
Students who are registered on campus will be able to cast their ballot at Merten Hall from 6am until 7pm. Remember to bring photo ID in order to vote.
This event is just one of many taking place at Mason in the months and weeks leading up to the presidential election this November. Check out the Mason Votes event calendar on the homepage to learn more.
George Mason has become somewhat of a traditional campaign stop for politicians, with big-name candidates such as John Kasich, Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, and Tim Kaine all hosting rallies campus in 2015-2016.
Reporting by Lottye Lockhart and Wesley Ward.
Photos by Mimi Albano.
UPDATE: Check out WGMU Radio’s coverage of FLOTUS here: www.wgmuradio.com
FAIRFAX, VA — In her first solo appearance on behalf of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, First Lady Michelle Obama delivered an impassioned speech at George Mason University that highlighted the stakes of Election 2016 and implored young voters to make it to the polls on November 8th despite the increasingly negative tone of the campaign in recent weeks.
“We can’t afford to be tired or turned off — not now. Because while this might feel like a time of uncertainty and division, I have never felt more hopeful about the future of this great nation.”
Mrs. Obama went on to make the case that Hillary Clinton is the best choice for college students: “The choice you make on November 8th will determine whether you can afford a college tuition. It will determine whether you can keep your health care when you graduate.”
On the choice that faces Virginians when they step into the booth this November, Mrs. Obama pointed out the slim margins that helped her husband carry the Commonwealth in 2012: “Which candidate’s words and actions speak to the future we want for our country and the values we share — values like inclusion and opportunity, service and sacrifice for others? Your answers to these questions on Election Day will determine who sits in the Oval Office after Barack Obama. And let’s be clear: Elections aren’t just about who votes, but who doesn’t vote. And that is especially true for young people like all of you. In fact, in 2012, voters under the age of 30 provided the margin of victory for Barack in four key battleground states: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, and right here in Virginia. Without those votes, Barack would have lost those states, and he definitely would have lost that election — period, end of story. ”
Addressing the news cycle’s hot topic du jour, “birtherism,” Mrs. Obama deployed one of the most memorable lines from her much-lauded speech at the Democratic National Convention this past July: “There were those who questioned — and continued to question for the past eight years, up through this very day — whether my husband was even born in this country. [Boos] I think Barack has answered those questions with the example he’s set — by going high when they go low.”
While it is expected that any high-profile surrogate for a major party’s presidential candidate will make an affirmative case for their candidate, Mrs. Obama went a step further, saying she is “inspired by Hillary.”
“We need someone who’s compassionate, who’s unifying force, someone who will be a role model for our kids; someone who’s not just in this for themselves, but for the good of this country.”
“I know in my heart that we deserve a president who can see those truths in us, a president who believes that each of us is part of the American story and we’re always stronger together.”
Wrapping up a well-received appearance in front of a capacity crowd in Mason’s Johnson Center, Mrs. Obama expressed confidence in Democrats’ chances at keeping in the Oval Office:
“I have never been more confident that Hillary Clinton will be that president. So here’s what I’m pledging. From now until November, I’m going to work as hard as I can to make sure that Hillary and Tim Kaine win this election. I need your help to do that. You got to get to work, make it happen. Virginia will make the difference in this election. Are you ready, Virginia?”
Reporting by Jason Hartsel
Photos by Mimi Albano and Leslie Steiger.
February 24, 2016 — At the first Democratic student debate, discussing the potential of a Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders White House administration, student participants tried to wedge their opposition on how a politician should be held accountable for their past deeds, and whether the past can be an accurate reflection of what they might do in office.
In a nomination race that will come down to the wire, any differences between two liberal thinkers will in reality be a small leap in policy terms, but played out as if crossing a canyon.
Much of the economic discussion within the Democratic Party has come from how a Sanders administration would usher in an era of democratic socialism in America, and the Patriots for Bernie representatives were quick to define this. Rather than being a destabilising force to the United States, Sanders will look to solve the systematic inequalities by restoring wealth to those who need it, protecting the environment, and fixing a corrupt and racist justice system.
But for Patriots for Hillary, offering their candidate’s humble background as the representation of America, what was missing was the rational arguments as to how this fiscal agenda could be fulfilled. While the argument for a financial speculation tax on Wall Street – one where investors will be charged for financial transactions as a repayment for the 2008 bail-out – could create economic redistribution, particularly to fund public college education, Team Hillary quickly pointed out that any decision to tax investors would work against the average American and their 401k accounts.
However, it seemed unusual that Patriots for Hillary had such a staunch defence of the virtues of America’s banking system. Without a doubt their actions caused much of the hurt to individuals and families during the financial crisis, and while “the banks can’t be blamed for capitalism”, an argument offered in the debate, Patriots for Bernie countered suggesting that the banks have to realize their involvement and take most of the responsibility. While Sanders has been defined by many as a socialist, the clear ire of his student supporters at government intervention in the capitalist system is perhaps the truest free-market position.
Turning to foreign policy, the political actions of both candidates in the recent conflicts throughout the Middle East were examined. It was clear that Patriots for Hillary found this a comfortable topic of conversation, given the natural passion that their representative has shown for world affairs. With a key role of the President defined as their ability to be a world diplomat, they promoted Clinton’s experience, especially in her role as Secretary of State. When subjected to the possibility that Clinton’s experience in foreign affairs was more to her detriment than a redeeming feature, Patriots for Hillary argued that her failings in Benghazi were due to systemic error, and that her support for drone warfare, while still a harsh solution, was effective at protecting American troops.
But rather than argue that their candidate was better because he had more experience, the Patriots for Bernie camp instead pushed the point that when it came to foreign policy, a person with a calm head and good judgement was always the better option. Using examples of Bernie’s Senate voting record, particularly his non-support of the Iraq War, the team showed that sometimes the best action was no action, citing the US intervention in the Middle East being responsible for the formation of ISIS.
Missing the opportunity to point out this simplification of Arabic politics, Patriots for Hillary instead pushed that there cannot be a revision of history, and that their candidate would be the best at dealing with the situation moving forward.
Ultimately the two sides of the debate framed their candidates as the woman who was grounded in the realities of office, with her experience at every level of government as her source, against a man who has dared to dream and set his mission above what most people expect him to be able to do. Despite heated moments throughout, this clearly showed the passion of students who want the best for their country, and will share their views to any ears that will listen in order to achieve something greater than themselves.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders will be hosting a National Student Town Hall meeting with George Mason University students. The town hall meeting will be live streamed online to be viewed on college campuses across the country.
Sanders will focus on issues affecting young people, such as tuition-free higher education at public colleges, climate change, women’s rights, money in politics, racial justice, and criminal justice system reform.
The National Student Town Hall meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 28th at the Recreation Athletic Complex (RAC) on the George Mason University Fairfax Campus. Doors open at 6:00pm, and the meeting will begin at 7:00pm.
Tickets are required to attend, and will be distributed at the George Mason University Center for the Arts Concert Hall on two occasions:
- Monday, October 26th | 4:00pm – 7:00pm
- Tuesday, October 27th | 3:00pm – 6:00pm
The Bernie Sanders campaign team is seeking volunteers to help with ticket collection, crowd management, and answering questions. If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions, contact Tyler at [email protected].
