As Nov. 5 rapidly rears its head around the corner, those across all fifty states are readying themselves for another presidential election. Candidates are taking their final swings at campaigning as they knock on their last doors and give their final speeches for this election season. Voters have begun the process of fulfilling their civic duty as absentee ballots have been sent out and several states have begun their early voting process.
For students here on the hilltop it’s no different. Students are sending off mail in ballots while berated with political ads on every afront. Political discussions can be found throughout the college. With the New Hampshire Institute of Politics located on campus, students are in a prime spot for political engagement.
Perhaps the heart of politics on campus, NHIOP has been eagerly awaiting the approaching election. They’ve hosted and helped organize a number of events for students aiming to be involved and informed voters. Just this past September the Institute worked alongside the New Hampshire Youth Movement as well as the Goffstown town clerk’s office to hold a voter registration drive. Located directly on Joan of Arc Hall, the voter registration drive was deemed a success after having registered several students to vote here in New Hampshire.
They later followed up with a second voter registration drive that took place in Davison Dining Hall on Oct. 18. The institute has further brought political engagement to campus with their debate watch parties. For both the Sept. 10 presidential debate and the Oct. 1 vice presidential debate, students were able to watch the live performances alongside their peers. As a nonpartisan entity here on campus, the New Hampshire Institute of Politics has helped facilitate student involvement in politics, something vital before the upcoming general election.
In a few short days, Nov. 5 will have officially arrived, and millions of citizens will flood to the polls to cast their 2024 ballots. Be it here in New Hampshire or back home in a different state, countless Saint Anselm students will be voting in this election. For students who are voting here in Goffstown they will head to Bartlett Elementary School located on 689 Mast Road. The elementary school will be open for voting from 7:00 am up until 7:00 pm spanning across a twelve-hour period.
Saint Anslem students will be pleased to know that the New Hampshire Institute of Politics student ambassador program will be hosting an election night watch party starting around 7:00 pm in the institute’s auditorium. According to Garrett Donais, the program assistant for NHIOP, the watch party will not only feature live coverage of the election but an electoral college map guessing contest as well. Students will fill out maps with their predictions for how each state will be called. The individual who guesses the map the closest will receive a prize. According to Donais, if multiple students guess the exact electoral college map, they will be entered into a raffle. Students will be able to RSVP to the event via an upcoming link. It is anticipated that the event will be well attended by students in addition to featuring external attendees. Donais confirmed that “a lot” of pizza will be ordered and provided.
Election day does not equal the end for those down at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics. Post Nov. 5 they will continue to host and organize events for students here on campus throughout the rest of the year. For students interested in getting further involved with the New Hampshire Institute of Politics they may want to consider applying to join the ambassadors program. The applications to become a student ambassador are open and due by Nov. 1.
As for upcoming NHIOP events here on campus, on Nov. 19 the College Democrats and College Republicans debate will take place. Club president’s Owen Bland and Mac Connors will face off in debate, continuing a previously held tradition. Students are welcome, and encouraged, to attend.
For students, tune in to the live election on Nov. 5, and consider stopping by the NHIOP for the watch party to engage in the country’s democratic process with your fellow Anselmians at New Hampshire’s heart of politics.