Students Take Advantage of Politically Focused Activities
Many students come to Hartwick because they want to change the world.
On Tuesday, Nov. 8, they got their chance – by casting their votes in the 2022 midterm elections.
Following a successful voter registration drive that saw 146 students register to vote in Oneonta, the Office of Civic Engagement sponsored
vans that drove students – and one Guiding Eyes for the Blind dog – to the polls at Foothills.
Many of the students who went to the polls were voting for the first time, reported Alex Douglas, coordinator of Civic Engagement, who drove the shuttle back and forth all day on Election Day.
To get students informed ahead of the election, the College and the League of Women Voters of the Oneonta Area hosted a debate between NY-122 Assembly candidate Dan Buttermann (Democrat) and Colton Mennig (Working Families) on Wednesday, Nov. 2.
“Getting students to register was only half the battle,” said sociology Professor Zachary McKenney. “We had to get them informed on the issues, and then get them to the polling place.”
Republican candidate Brian Miller declined to participate.
Students were active in the debate, asking questions and meeting with the candidates after the forum.
“We had a great turnout,” said McKenney. “Not just students and faculty, but the community as well.”
