Barnard Votes & election resources on campus
As the 2024 U.S. elections quickly draw nearer, the College has provided students with election resources through Barnard Votes.
Photography by Abedha Syeema/The Barnard Bulletin
By Sydnie Loeb
October 31, 2024
Unlike her sister Annie Nathan Meyer, one of Barnard’s co-founders who did not support a woman’s right to vote, Maud Nathan was in favor of women’s suffrage. Seeking to defend the suffragist movement in England, Nathan expressed, “While the suffragettes were quiet and well-behaved, members of the House of Commons paid no attention to them… It was only when the women copied men’s noisy methods that any serious thought was given to the question of equal suffrage.”
Although one of Barnard's founders did not support women's suffrage, current students understand the importance of the inclusion of equal suffrage and every female voice in the polls.
For many first-years, this will be the first time they get to vote in an election. However, for many (and most) students on campus, this is the very first time they will vote in a presidential election. Some students may not know how to go about voting. As a first time voter myself, I had a tough time navigating all the different websites and portals to register, especially as an absentee voter. The process may seem daunting, so here is a breakdown of all the election resources on campus, including those provided by Barnard Votes.
A CourseWorks Reminder From Barnard Votes
In recent days, if you have opened your Canvas dashboard page, you have probably seen the above message from Barnard Votes that includes a link to check your voter status, and information about the office hours for Barnard Votes, which are Wednesday and Thursday from 12:00-2:00 p.m. in the Diana Center lobby.
Barnard Votes Website
Barnard Votes also has a website that acts as Barnard’s hub for all voter and election-related information.
When you first get to the website, you will see a countdown to when the polls open. Students can add the countdown to their calendars! We even have the day before Election Day and Election Day itself off in order to make the opportunity to vote accessible to all students without the burden of trying to squeeze in time to vote during classes.
Through the rest of the website, you can access links to register to vote either in New York City or in your home state, check deadlines, and inform yourself of “What’s on the Ballot?” The website also provides information about the processes through which our elections are decided, including a page explaining how the Electoral College works.
All Barnard students who are U.S. citizens are permitted to register to vote in person at the polls in the city. The closest polling site is right around the corner at Riverside Church.
Campus Events
Barnard Votes is also hosting events related to voting and the election, such as Voter Information Tables, Talking Tables, Absentee Ballot Office Hours, “Donuts and Democracy,” “Stroll to the Polls,” and a Post-Election Community Forum. Don’t miss out! You can find the full calendar of events here.
Volunteering Opportunities
If you want to get more involved in the city community, you can volunteer with NYC Votes to inform New York City voters about the election and get New Yorkers registered to vote.
Volunteering is a popular way to get involved and help people vote. Many believe that the more educated you are on the way the process works, the bigger the impact you can have.
Barnard Votes is an expansive resource on campus, and whether it is attending an event or their office hours on the first floor of Diana, there are ways to get involved. If you have further questions or need further resources, you can also reach out to the Barnard Votes Student Ambassadors.
As this election season quickly approaches, Barnard Votes ensures that students are informed and prepared to participate in the process in any and every way that feels right for them.