Anselmians are taking to the polls in a variety of ways this Election Day, including two students who are aiming to increase voter turnout among young people.
Cezza Cardaropoli ‘27 and Izi Small ‘26 are at Bartlett Elementary School, the polling location for District Five of Goffstown, where many Saint Anselm students will be casting their votes.
They are hosting a table sponsored by New Hampshire Youth Movement, an organization which self-describes as “a movement of young people transforming our political system so it serves and is led by the people it has left behind.”
“We’ve been out here since seven this morning and will be here [until] the polls close,” Cardaropoli, a sophomore Communications and Media Studies major, said.
She and Small are providing pick-me-up snacks and treats for voters while engaging in something called vote-tripling.
“Once someone votes, we call them over to text two or more of their friends to come vote,” Cardaropoli explained.
This practice aligns with the mission of New Hampshire Youth Movement, which among a myriad of goals, aims to encourage people to engage with their communities.
“This means building meaningful relationships in our communities and showing up when people need help,” the organization’s website states.
Back in 2020, the last time voters in New Hampshire officially cast their picks for president, Goffstown saw a 73% voter turnout among those registered, according to Goffstown Official Results from the NH State General Election as provided by the Goffstown Library website.
This is compared to a nationwide voter turnout rate of 66.8% in the 2020 presidential election, a number that marked the highest turnout of the century, as documented by the United States Census Bureau.
Among those who submitted mail in ballots or showed up to the polls, young people had the lowest turnout among any age group; only 51.4% of registered 18 to 24 year olds took part in the vote across the country.
The Saint Anselm College community has been investing in efforts to increase voter turnout among students, organizing transportation to Bartlett, hosting registration drives, and providing resources to help out-of-state students declare as Goffstown residents.
“I want to get as many Anselmians to the polls as possible,” Small noted.
For many students, this is the first time they will be able to have a say in the Presidential Election, after witnessing the results of important races throughout their childhoods. This factored into Small’s decision to get involved.
“It’s my first election and [the first time I] have any say in what can happen,” said Small, a junior History major. “The sheer fact that I get to have a choice is why I care.”
Cardaropoli shared a similar sentiment when describing what pushed her to get involved on Election Day, “It’s important to get young people to show up to vote. They’re one of the populations that typically get low numbers in polls, so we’re trying to change that.”