Project Description
In the 2020 presidential election, voter turnout among those ages 18-24 was 51%, which pales in comparison to the 67% turnout for overall voters. It is critically important that the youth vote as they have the most to gain from the actions of those elected. It’s also been observed by many people that civic involvement is very low here at WPI, due to the lack of interest by students, among many other reasons.
The goal of this project was to create a plan that will invite students to engage in the WPI and Worcester communities, and to provide resources to make attaining civic knowledge feel more approachable, and to also create a space where students feel they can discuss politics without fear of being attacked for their opinions.
Project Sponsor
Kalvin Cummings is the Director for Religion and Spiritual Life and Assistant Director for the Office for Diversity and Multicultural Education (ODIME) at WPI. Like many in ODIME, he wishes to increase community and civic involvement by students of all backgrounds. He comes from a family that worked towards suffrage and that cares deeply about using their political power as voters.
Student Researchers
Javier DeLeon – Computer Science
Jimmy Espinal – Civil Engineering
Patrick Hussey – Data Science
Noah Leibowitz – Computer Science
Project Goal and Objectives
The overall goal of the project was to increase voter participation among WPI students. We developed a couple objectives that we presented to WPI faculty and staff.
- Registration Drives
- Create informational resource
- Find a long term club/hire to continue upkeep