Shaye Callanan ‘26
Staff Writer
The week before fall break, voter registration information was made available to students at the Government and Community relations table on the first floor of Hogan. Students could stop by these tables to gain any information about voting they needed. The tables offered students voter registration and absentee ballot request forms, which they could conveniently fill out, print, and mail at the station. It is important for students to have easy access to information about voter registration or absentee ballots as it is the first time many students will be voting, potentially in a different state than their own. A significant portion of the Holy Cross student population came to Worcester from a different state or country, so understanding the mail-in voting process is vital. Each state has different standards for their mail-in ballots so if you choose this method of voting, make sure to consult your local standards which are available on each state’s Board of Elections website. Websites such as “VoteAmerica”, “Vote.org”, or “TurboVote” have quick, easy-to-understand information on which method of voting may work best for you. Once you receive your absentee ballot in the mail, carefully read the instructions and fill out the ballot as you would in-person. An extra envelope is provided to make it easy to send back your ballot and cast your vote.
To gain perspective on the voting processes of a few Holy Cross students, I asked them to comment on why voting is important to them during this election season. One commented that they are volunteering for Ballotpedia, which is an online encyclopedia educating people about politics and candidates. She commented that voting is the “easiest way for your voice to be heard in democracy” and that it is an “equalizer because everyone’s vote is counted the same way, regardless of money or power.” Another student commented on being from a swing state and how that impacts the importance of their vote. “I feel an extra pressure,” the student commented, “especially in my county, the vote has really swung red or blue frequently, so I feel my vote is really significant. It means a lot to my family that I vote.” Holy Cross is an active, politically-engaged campus, and the work of the voter registration tables is ensuring this engagement continues and spreads.
This upcoming election will be heavily impacted by the youth vote, which is why it is necessary for us as college students and citizens to exercise our right to vote. Deciding your method of voting and researching candidates is vital to having an impact as a generation and making our individual voices heard.
Featured image courtesy of Massachusetts Voter Table
Copy Edited by Sophia Mariani ’26
Web Edited by Zexuan Qu ’28
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