On September 9, reps from 26 colleges and universities (25 from NC and one from SC) convened, at the 7th annual NC College Voter Summit, to explore the theme “Midterms Matter.” Thirteen democracy orgs also participated. Highlights included a panel of students from the three sectors providing tips and tools for engaging students in their particular context: Destiny Perez, Forsyth Tech (represented community colleges); Odaray Mora-Morejon, High Point University (represented 4-year private/independent sector); and Maria Garcia-Ortega, ’22 UNCW (represented the 4-year public/UNC sector). Rachel Clay, the Southeast Regional Manager for the Campus Vote Project, gave a keynote presentation on “Election Integrity.” She discussed the various laws and efforts to impact voter access and to interfere with elections. She also reminded the students that North Carolina college students have a long history of standing up for democracy. LaWana Mayfield, at-large Charlotte City Council member (since July ’22) and former District 3 City Council representative from 2011 – 2019, discussed “Why Midterms Matter” in an interactive and engaging keynote. She helped students understand that local and state offices impact their daily lives in critical ways. Through 14 “Hot Topics in Voting” workshops, presenters offered practical tools and tips for mobilizing students to register and vote. Below is the list of workshop topics:
- Supporting and Engaging Gender Diverse Voters (Equality NC)
- Campus Vote Project’s HBCU Legacy Initiative (Campus Vote Project)
- Student Relational Organizing Workshop (You Can Vote)
- Running A Voter Week of Action on Your Campus (NCPIRG Campus Action)
- Building and Sustaining a Campus Coalition for Civic Engagement (Elon University & East Carolina University)
- Encouraging the Journey from Voter Registration Applicant to Informed Voter (League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad)
- Mobilizing the #StudentVote using Social Media (Students Learn Students Vote Coalition)
- Moore v. Harper (Redistricting) (Common Cause NC and Southern Coalition for Social Justice)
- Amplifying Students’ Civic Power (Civic Influencers)
We also presented nearly 30 prizes to individuals, including door prizes donated by the NC Campus Voting Coalition partners, plus $10 Amazon gift cards. We played Summit Bingo, in which participants had to meet different people throughout the day to complete their Board, and an Election Trivia game, with 15 questions about election history. We also awarded campus prizes listed below.
Registration Prizes ($100 cash prize recognizing the institution that registered the largest number of people per sector):
– UNC system = NC Central University
– Private/Independent sector = Queens University of Charlotte
– Community College system = Forsyth Technical Community College
Repping Prize ($100 cash prize to the campus that represented their campus well throughout the day) = UNC Pembroke
Spirit & Engagement Prize ($100 cash prize to a campus that was actively engaged & energized throughout the Summit) = Claflin University
Participants were also encouraged to post and share their participation through a photo booth.
Acknowledgements:
Thank you to Elon University and all the folks here who supported the Summit, including catering, Event and Space Management, and the Moseley Center staff. We also want to acknowledge our photographer, Jenna Weber, a senior Art major at Elon.
Extra special thanks to the #VoteSum22 Planning Team chaired by NCCE Executive Director, Leslie Garvin.
Katie Craig – NC PIRG
Maria Garcia-Ortega – You Can Vote
Jake Gellar-Goad – You Can Vote
Sam Hauser – UNC Pembroke
Rebby Kern – Equality NC
Amanda LaRoche – Campus Vote Project
Brennan Lewis – Equality NC
