Kent State’s Democracy Fest Prepares Student Voters for November Election
Democracy Fest brings together a diverse community of Golden Flashes to learn about the democratic process, register to vote and engage with candidates
As the November election approaches, Kent State University’s Undergraduate Student Government hosted its annual Democracy Fest on Risman Plaza to celebrate National Voter Registration Day. The event gives first-time voters an opportunity to register to vote and for everyone to meet candidates and learn about the democratic process ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
For Sadie Miller, a first-year neuroscience major, attending Democracy Fest was an opportunity to learn more about the candidates before her first election.
“It’s important for me to understand the options that are available with candidates and to make the best choice for what I believe,” Miller told Kent State Today.
By creating opportunities for civic engagement and encouraging active participation, Kent State empowers students to make their voices heard, fostering a safe, welcoming and diverse global community prepared to address the problems of a changing society.
“Democracy Fest is a festival to help students become more aware and recognize that we’re all members of democracy, whether we want to realize that or not,” Craig Berger, associate director of the Center for Student Involvement, said. Berger helped coordinate the event.
Undergraduate Student Government table at Democracy Fest
The event took place outside the Kent Student Center from 1 to 7 p.m., allowing students to stop by between classes, on their way to lunch or while simply walking across campus.
“We’re here to help out and represent people to register to vote,” Alexa Dunkel, a senior integrated language arts major and Undergraduate Student Government member, said.
Throughout the day, students could visit booths and talk with candidates, including Mike Roberto, Bill Redpath, Tom Pruss and Jeff Clapper.
“One of our goals is to make sure students know that there are candidates who are going to be on the ballot,” Berger said. “Especially if they’re registered to vote here. And so, presenting them with the opportunity to interact with those candidates is something that’s a part of this event.”
Students could also play games, visit the Undergraduate Student Government booth to spin a prize wheel and potentially win a bag of s’mores.
While voter registration and learning more about candidates were central to the event, attendees could also visit select student organizations promoting their clubs, such as Black United Students, PRIDE!Kent, Kent Interhall Council, Kent State NAACP, Kent State URGE, Male Empowerment Network (M.E.N.), Ohio Student Association, Sister Circle, Transfusion, Turning Point USA, Undergraduate Student Government and Young Democratic Socialists of America.
Sister Circle is an organization focused on uplifting women of color through personal, social and professional opportunities. Members Kyah Lucas, a sophomore entrepreneurship major, and Elise Morris, a sophomore biology major, said the organization was at Democracy Fest to connect with students and share its events and resources.
“We’re here to promote, to find a place for women of color and hold events for them, socially, culturally, and professionally,” Morris said.
Even though voting is a central part of participating in an election, some students may question whether their individual vote can make a difference. Rick Skains, a junior economics major and director of governmental affairs for Undergraduate Student Government, said he has encountered several students who feel their vote does not matter.
Rick Skains, left, watches the dunk tank in action
“For every student who believes their vote doesn’t matter, there’s at least a dozen more of them,” Skains said. “I think one single vote truly can make a difference, especially when you’re in a place like Portage County, where there’s a minority within a majority.”
For many first-year students at Kent State, the upcoming November election will be their first time voting. For them, participating in an election can represent a first step toward independence and adulthood.
“I feel like it means that I have a voice, and I’ve been waiting to give my opinion and put my voice out there, because I feel like there’s certain things going on that I don’t necessarily agree with,” Mariyah Williams, a first-year psychology major, said.
For other students, voting provides an opportunity to speak about issues that affect their lives and communities.
“As a college student, I care about prices like gas, groceries or even just protecting the basic rights of the LGBTQ community that my friends are a part of, and the uprising concern of data centers being placed around Ohio,” Braxton Sullivan, a first-year business management major, said.
As students prepare for the election, Skains encouraged them to stay curious and become involved in the issues that matter to them.
“Always ask questions, ask 'why?' Probe, ask questions, get involved,” Skains said. “And focus on what you’re passionate about.”
