This election season, Kent State Today will feature a series of stories about voting on campus, sharing information about how and where to vote, first-time student voters, important event dates and deadlines.
The Flashes Vote Festival will take place from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. on Sept. 17 on Risman Plaza. The annual event is hosted by Kent State Undergraduate Student Government. The organization invites everyone who wants to register to vote, learn more about voting or is just excited about voting in the November elections to attend.
The event is a non-partisan collaboration created by Undergraduate Student Government as part of the Kent State Votes initiative. It brings together student organizations and campus departments with the mission of generating excitement about the coming election and getting eligible voters registered to vote before the Oct. 7 registration deadline.
A Sweet Way to Register and Score Kent State Votes Swag
Sept. 17 is National Beignet Day, so students who pledge to vote at Flashes Vote Fest will be rewarded with a beignet from Kent’s Erie Street Kitchen, while supplies last. Students can also receive a free Kent State Votes t-shirt from Kent State President Todd Diacon, Ph.D..
Student leaders will be there to answer questions about voting and registration. Attendees can also meet Golden Flash student athletes and Flash the Mascot.
Students can fill out their voter registration forms at the event, request an absentee ballot, learn about ballot issues and pledge to vote. Students will have the opportunity to sign an “ALL IN to Vote” pledge to help Kent State win the 2024 All In Challenge for voter participation.
On Sept. 16, the day before Flashes Vote Fest, there will be a Voter Education and Registration Workshop in the Pepsi Leadership Center on the second floor of the Kent Student Center.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Oct. 7-11 is National Voter Education Week, and Monday, Oct. 7 is the deadline for voter registration in Ohio.
Oct. 8-29 are the dates when voters can vote by mail. Oct. 29 is the last day to request absentee ballots, mailed ballots must be postmarked by Monday, Nov. 4.
Nov. 5 is Election Day. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m–7:30 p.m. Outstanding absentee ballots must be received at the Board of Elections by 7:30 p.m.
For complete information about how to register, where to register and when and where to vote, along with important resources and links and all Kent State voting activities and events, visit Kent State Votes.