Dear students,
For many of you, the election in November will be your first opportunity to participate in a national election, almost certainly a presidential election. It’s one of many firsts you’re likely to experience in college, and undoubtedly the only one you will share with 150 million other Americans.
As you probably know, your vote — “the youth vote” — is among the most sought-after. This may be because you and your near-peers under 30 make up a fifth of the potential electorate, and your voting habits are newly forming. And while candidates are excited by your numbers and your blank slates, democracy benefits from your wide range of experiences and perspectives. Today’s young voters are the most diverse in American history, and the most diverse group in the electorate. Your many voices matter.
We believe that there’s at least one more thing you, as Kenyon students, bring to this election: the capacity to cultivate a well-informed view. There is perhaps no better place than a residential liberal arts college to push past political headlines and memes toward a deeper understanding, one that’s oriented toward the long-term and our best collective future. Kenyon’s campus is purpose-built for discussion and dialogue, and we encourage you to immerse yourself in it. You are surrounded by people skilled in asking questions and listening carefully to the answers. Across your fields of study, you are encouraged to examine both evidence and values — and to consider how they translate into policies. Even if you are not eligible to vote in a U.S. election, you have much to contribute to the conversation.
To inform your discussions, the Center for the Study of American Democracy, Kenyon’s nonpartisan public affairs institute, has put together an impressive schedule of speakers on election-related topics. The first one, tonight, in honor of Constitution Day, traces the history of voting rights in Ohio. Other talks will explore political violence in America, evolving ideas of freedom, what’s at stake for the Constitution this year, and the role of the media in the 2024 elections.
This week, CSAD is organizing “Kenyon Votes,” a week of activities to raise awareness about the democratic process. You may have seen the voter registration tables in Peirce — please make a point to stop by if you haven’t already. As a college student, you may have the option of registering to vote in your hometown or here in Gambier. You can learn more at vote.gov, or from the voter information CSAD has compiled about the registration and voting process. If you are eligible and choose to vote in Ohio, the deadline to register is Oct. 7.
The fall semester is in full swing. Before your coursework becomes all-consuming, we encourage you to do four things: (1) register to vote, (2) educate yourself on the issues and the candidates, (3) celebrate the fact that you live in a place where your vote counts and your voice matters, and (4) mark your calendars to vote on Nov. 5. As a citizen, it’s a first you won’t want to miss.
Warmly,
Julie Kornfeld
President
Jeff Bowman
Provost