As this year’s general presidential election draws closer, the Pennsylvania American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) hosted a voter registration drive on Sept. 12 at Shippensburg University, to educate unregistered students.
AFL-CIO partnered with the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) for the second year in a row for a non-partisan goal — to get as many people registered to vote as possible and to answer questions about the voting process.
In addition to holding voter registration drives, AFL-CIO is a semi-supporter of SU’s own voter registration group, Ship Votes. In past election years it provided transportation for SU students to local polling places.
“I think a lot of students aren’t clear about the voting process and just don’t really think they have access to their right to vote,” said Carrie Hillman, associate director of government relations for APSCUF.
The two organizations, as well as Ship Votes, offered free hot dogs and hamburgers to SU students while answering questions ranging from where voter registration can be completed to how college students can file for an absentee ballot.
“Events like these that are focused on turning out the vote, focused on the process and not the candidate, are helpful at motivating [students] to register,” Hillman said.
Students can visit the Ship Votes table in the CUB every Thursday and Friday or go to everyone.votespa.com with additional questions.
The Slate welcomes thoughtful discussion on all of our stories, but please keep comments civil and on-topic. Read our full guidelines here.