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Eastern's 'Voting Matters' series kicks off Sept. 30 with political science expert panel

Month-long series encourages participation 'regardless of how you vote'

Willimantic, CT (09/25/2024) — Eastern Connecticut State University will host a series of events throughout the month of October aimed at inspiring participation in the 2024 presidential election. Kicking off Sept. 30 with a panel of political science experts, the "Voting Matters" extravaganza will continue with a series of public lectures and other events.

Voting Matters intends to grow voter registration and turnout, particularly among college students-a historically underrepresented group in elections. For most traditionally aged college students (Generation Z), this year's election is their first opportunity to vote for president of the United States.

"The purpose of this event is to encourage active participation in the election in a nonpartisan way, regardless of students' political opinions ... To get people aware of the importance of the election no matter how they choose to vote," said Emiliano Villanueva, business administration professor and Voting Matters committee member.

The preliminary schedule includes the following events:

Sept. 30: Voting Matters expert panel, 7 p.m., Fine Arts Instructional Center Concert Hall

  • Join us for a discussion with political science experts Stephanie Ternullo (Harvard University), Erika Franklin (Wesleyan University) and Jonathan Wharton (Southern Connecticut State University), moderated by Eastern Professor Courtney Broscious, on some of the most pertinent topics in the 2024 presidential election. They will provide insights into the campaigns and beyond, addressing questions such as: can we trust the polls? What are Donald Trumbt and Kamaila Harris' platforms? Is American democracy at risk? And more!

Open lectures (Oct. 2-4): https://www.easternct.edu/vote/election-2024-open-classrooms.html

  • Oct. 1
    • 11-12:15: "Prison Gerrymandering and Felony Disenfranchisement", Theresa Severance, Student Center Theater
      • 5-6:00: "Foreign Policy in the 2024 Election: Trump's and Harris' Interpretation of Just War Theory", Martin Mendoza-Botelho, Student Center Theater
  • Oct. 2
    • 11-11:50: "How a New President Could Impact LGBTQ Rights", Nicole Krassas and Kim Dugan, Webb 110
    • 1-1:50: "Political Disinformation in the 2024 Presidential Election", Nicole Krassas, Webb 110
    • 4:00-5:15 p.m.: "Early First Ladies, 1796-1933." Tom Balcerski, Webb 110
  • Oct. 3
    • 11-12:15: "Votes, Voices and Vital Signs: Linking Health Equity to Civic Participation", Sara Newman Carroll and Sarah Walters. Student Center Theatre
    • 12:20-1:45: "What Americans Want from Government", Courtney Broscious, Student Center Theatre
    • 2-3:15: "What Office-Holders and Candidates say about Education in our Home Districts?", David Stoloff, Student Center Theatre
    • 4-5:00: "The Importance of Vaccines in Public Health", Liz Cowles. Student Center Theatre
  • Oct. 4
    • 12-12:50: "Breaking Barriers: How Gender is Shaping the 2024 Election", Cara Berstrom-Lynch and Jennifer Leszczynski. Student Center Theatre
    • 1-1:50: "Your Mind on Media", Lyndsey Lanagan-Leitzel, Student Center Theatre

"Events Under Tents" (Oct. 1-4) symposium in Webb Lawn, featuring representatives from the Democratic and Republican Parties, voter registration, poetry readings, a dramatic retelling of the Declaration of Independence and more.

  • https://www.easternct.edu/vote/election-2024-events-under-tents.html

Additional event details will soon be released. Information will also be posted on the Voting Matters website at www.easternct.edu/vote .

"Voting is our one opportunity to guarantee that our voices are counted," said Nicole Krassas, political science professor and chair of the Voting Matters committee. "By helping students register to vote, encouraging them to explore the current candidates running as well as the issues of the day ... we are helping to prepare students to exercise their rights ... something we hope will encourage them to participate not just this year, but also in years to come."

Eastern's Voting Matters extravaganza is organized and sponsored by the Department of Political Science, Philosophy and Geography, Department of Business Administration, Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Criminology and Social Work, Department of Art and Art History, Department of History and Student Government Association.

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Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving upwards of 4,000 students annually on its Willimantic campus. A residential campus offering 41 majors and 68 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal arts foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked among the top 25 public institutions in the North by U.S. News & World Report in its 2024-25 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 14 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.

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