How Barnard Students are Getting Involved this Election Season

Barnard students are many things — bold, brilliant, beautiful — but we also have a reputation for being politically and socially involved. As a historically women’s college, Barnard students are encouraged to bring personal experiences into their classrooms, workplaces, and activism. For many, this includes participating in this year’s election. Whether by voting, attending events, volunteering, or canvassing, Barnard students are getting involved in our voting rights and elections. Because Barnard urges all students, faculty, and staff to exercise their right to vote, the College is closed for the Election holiday. However, students are also finding other ways to get involved and build community surrounding the election. 

At Barnard, we’re fortunate to have an excellent Political Science department, where our experts are helping students better understand their voting rights and responsibilities this Election season. The Athena Center is also hosting debate watch parties featuring alumni and other Barnard friends (such as Paola Ramos ‘09, Jehmu Greene, and Julianna Goldman ‘03) for each of the debates. You can find more information about the Vice Presidential Debate Watch here and the next Presidential Debate Watch here. 

At Columbia, Voting Week happens in late September, where Columbia Political Unions and student organizations host numerous events to commemorate and reimagine our roles within the election. These events are open to Barnard students, and in fact, Barnard students are often at the forefront of leading these events, alongside their Columbia peers within these student organizations. Students take this opportunity to network with politicians and political science professionals, to learn more about the election process, and to engage with the Columbia community regarding issues of voter suppression, rights, and more! Columbia also hosts an Elections virtual center, where students can learn more about issues surrounding the election, find an elections expert, and attend events. 

Besides these college or university-wide events, clubs at Barnard and Columbia (both of which Barnard students participate in and lead), also host events to get out the vote and spread awareness about the election. Columbia Votes is hosting a voting office hours; Columbia and Barnard Flip the Senate host phonebanks regularly; and Columbia Democrats and Republicans both host discussions regarding their party’s issues this election. 

Individual Barnard students themselves are also participating in election season in key ways. They are registering voters, writing letters to unregistered voters, and canvassing for their preferred candidates. They’re encouraging friends and family to create voting plans, getting out the vote via social media, and phonebanking for candidates in tough states. Barnard students are even holding internships in non-partisan, partisan, and nonprofit offices, where they are working to encourage people to vote and ensure that all people have access to voting, without suppression or fear. 

For many Barnard students, this is their first time voting in a presidential election (or an election in general). This election season is much different than we ever could’ve imagined, but we’re attempting to make the best of it, doing everything we possibly can to be involved with the election and get out the vote. 

Learn more about your voter registration here! 

-Maya Corral