It is midterm time at Lawrence again, although not in the classroom, but at the polls. Even inside the “Lawrence Bubble” campus has been buzzing in anticipation of midterm elections for some closely contested Wisconsin races. In Wisconsin the laws allow for voters to register up to and including Election Day. The laws also allow for out of state students to vote using their college address if they don’t vote absentee in their home state. A shuttle bused over load after load of students from campus to Alexander Gym which serves as a voting station in the Appleton community.
Lawrence students don’t have any excuse not to vote between the efforts on campus to “Get out the Vote!” and the emphasis on how easy it is to register and vote. On the afternoon of election day a student from the Lawrence Democrats organization came and knocked on my door to ask me if I had voted. I told her I had voted absentee in Michigan and thanked her for the leaflet with voter registration and poll times information to give to my roommates. The political energy on campus has been palpable with all the tabling, dinner discussions, and door-to-door encouragement to perform the civic duty of voting.
Mitt Romney visits Lawrence in March of 2012
Additionally, the emphasis on campus has been on voting in general rather than voting for any particular candidate. While it was a member of the Lawrence Democrats who knocked on my door, she did not endorse any particular candidate and simply encouraged me to exercise my right to vote. While young Americans are notorious for being underrepresented at the polls, I would estimate that Lawrence has one of the highest voter turnouts among universities and far above the national average for our age demographic. In presidential election years I expect Lawrentian voter turnout is even higher. There are also more events such as “Rock the Results” which was a party on election night in the last presidential election 2012 to watch the news as results made their way in.
Michelle Obama visits Lawrence in September of 2012
Lawrence is a socially active community and while voter efficacy varies by individual, most students not only feel obligated but also really want to vote in an effort to change the government to one that fits their views better. With all the groups on campus that work for social causes in addition to the various environment oriented organizations, it is not surprising that Lawrentians take voting seriously. Whether in politics or local campus issues the Lawrence community continues to remain actively engaged in the process of affecting change in the areas that need it.