Office of Institutional Equity, Effectiveness and Success

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VCU Votes is a network of VCU students, faculty and staff members dedicated to promoting voter engagement on campus.

VCU Votes

 

Nov 2, 2021 is Election Day!

Virginia will vote for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and House of Delegates in 2021.


VCU Student Commons is a polling location for some residential students
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Get Registered

VCU students have the choice between registering to vote at their permanent address or at their on-campus address. While voting on campus is usually easier, some students may choose to register at their parent’s address if they have a special interest in elections back home or feel that their vote will count more. Every time your address changes, you must re-register.

For more information on registering as a college student, visit the Virginia Department of Elections website.


The deadline to register to vote is 22 days before the election, and students are encouraged to register early. Register to vote or check your voter registration status via Vote.org or the Andrew Goodman Foundation.

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VCU Votes is a network of VCU students, faculty and staff members dedicated to promoting voter engagement on campus. VCU Votes coordinates campus-wide voter engagement events, provides voter education, and works to make VCU the most voter-friendly campus it can be.

Whether you are a student, faculty or staff member, the information on this page will help you engage in the voting process as an educated citizen.

Questions? E-mail votesac@vcu.edu. 

Visit The Andrew Goodman Foundation for a comprehensive guide to voter registration, deadlines and 2021 election information:

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In the News

Oct. 6: "Have a plan: VCU Votes co-chairs answer questions about voting amid the pandemic"

Sept. 18: "VCU Votes: On social media, students encourage voter participation on campus and beyond"

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NBC12 Story

VCU Votes was featured on a Sept. 28 TV news segment.

Watch it here.

Engaged Citizen Series

The VCU Office of Institutional Equity, Effectiveness and Success (IES) in collaboration with the Center for Community Engagement and Impact is developing a series of IExcel eLearning courses on Engaged Citizenship. The first course in this series is called the Active Citizen's Toolkit.

Inside this toolkit you'll find a variety of resources to prepare you for an active role in your community. You'll find different ways to engage and use your voice in methods such as volunteering, voting, and protesting. You'll find there is an activity for every student to get involved when you are informed on an issue.

Learn more and enroll.

 

Important Fall Voter Deadlines

Given the possibility of unforeseen delays, VCU Votes urges registering and voting in advance of deadlines.

September 18, 2021: Early and absentee voting begins in Virginia  


September 28, 2021: National Voter Registration Day 


October 11, 2021: Deadline to register to vote, or update existing registration


October 22, 2021 by 5 p.m: Deadline to request an absentee ballot


November 2, 2021: November General Election


The Virginia Department of Elections is encouraging voters to protect their health during COVID-19 by voting absentee.

Three Ways to Request an Absentee Ballot:

  1. Apply for an absentee ballot online and paperlessly by clicking here.
  2. Call your local registrar's office and ask them to send you an absentee ballot. You can look up your local registrar's number here. The number for Richmond's Office of the General Registrar is (804) 646-5950. Please note that Richmond's Registrar's Office is closed to the public for business because the City of Richmond is closed. During the closed period, please call Richmond 311 at (804) 646-7000 and they will send the Registrar's Office a message.
  3. Download and print the absentee ballot application form the website. All paper absentee application forms can be found here. Once you complete the application, return it by mail or email a scanned copy to your registrar's office.

Before Election Day, learn about the candidates and make a voting plan. Consider the following questions:

  • Who or what am I voting for? You can preview your ballot and find nonpartisan candidate information via Vote 411 or the Andrew Goodman Foundation.
  • Will I vote absentee?
  • If I plan to vote in person, where do I need to go to vote? You must vote at your designated polling location, which you can check here.
  • How am I getting there? While polling places around VCU are generally within easy walking distance, you may need to find another means of transportation. Make a plan well before Election Day.
  • Given my schedule on Voting Day, at time will I be able to vote? Polls in Virginia are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Virginians can now take advantage of no-excuse early voting 45 days prior to an election.

  • Local election officials may offer early voting on Sundays.

  • Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election.

  • Voters do not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on election day.


For more information about early voting, visit the Virginia Department of Elections website.

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Student Involvement in Civic Engagement

This class has given me perspective on how my peers and I are the exact target audience for "Get out the Vote" campaigns.

Yumna Rahman 
Student in Service-Learning class working with VCU Votes

VCU Votes Advisory Council

The VCU Votes Advisory Council is an active group of faculty, students, and staff members that coordinates campus-wide voter engagement events, provides voter education and works to make VCU the most voter-friendly campus it can be. You can also schedule a classroom visit from VCU Votes and receive information on how to help your students become and stay engaged as voters.

Co-Chairs

Jacqueline Smith-Mason, Associate Dean, Honors College

Matt Tessema, VCU Student and Andrew Goodman Foundation Vote Everywhere Ambassador

  • Megan Becker, associate director of residential life, VCU Student Affairs
  • Lily Cox-Richard, assistant professor, VCU School of the Arts
  • Judi Crenshaw, instructor, Robertson School of Media & Culture
  • Nicole O'Donnell, assistant professor, Robertson School of Media & Culture
  • Nicole Patterson, coordinator for student leadership & civic engagement, Student Affairs
  • Allie Reckendorf, assistant professor, VCU Department of Political Science
  • Reuban Rodriguez, dean of students, Division of Student Affairs
  • Fred Tugas, assistant director, Student Leadership & Civic Engagement, Student Affairs
  • Anne Carver Weakley, instructor, Department of Focused Inquiry

Awareness & Education

  • Carver Weakley (chair)
  • Candyce Brown
  • Nicole O'Donnell
  • Reuban Rodriguez

Communications     

  • Judi Crenshaw (chair)
  • Megan Becker
  • Lily Cox-Richard
  • Nicole O'Donnell

Data/NSLVE

  • Allie Reckendorf
  • Jackie Smith-Mason
  • Fred Tugas

Voter Registration/Turnout

  • Nicole Patterson
  • Allie Reckendorf
  • Jackie Smith-Mason
  • Matt Tessama

Student Coalition

The VCU Votes Student Coalition is a network of VCU students dedicated to promoting voter engagement on campus. VCU Votes coordinates campus-wide voter engagement events, provides voter education, and works to make VCU the most voter-friendly campus it can be.

Join our group on RamsConnect to stay connected with events this fall, including National Voter Registration Day, debates, watch parties, and much more! Our team is here to help you navigate your civic duty while in college. 

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