Elon Votes hosted a watch party for the vice presidential debate between Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Oct. 1 in Moseley Student Center.
Director of Outreach for Elon Votes and senior Allison Durand said she believes the organization can help to create a community on campus by providing a place for students to gather and talk about issues involving the election.
“Supplying a spot on campus where students can come and hang out and talk about these things,” Durand said. “It's just supposed to help inspire students.”
A completed crossword puzzle handed out by Elon Votes during the Vice Presidential debate on Oct. 1.
Elon Votes used free pizza and printed out games such as crossword puzzles, word searches and bingo cards to keep watchers involved with the topics discussed during the debate.
Junior Josh Galaski came to watch the vice presidential debate with his friends and said he believes events like this foster a sense of political community on campus.
“Look around, look at all the people that are here,” Galaski said. “Everyone showed up, so I think that’s kind of the drive involved.”
In early September, Elon Votes held a presidential debate watch party in Moseley, which had a high turn out rate among students. Before the vice presidential debate started, Elon Votes student coordinator and junior Lindsay Bialecki said Elon Votes expected turnout for the vice presidential debate to be just as good.
However, student turnout was only about half of the presidential debate at around 50 — with many leaving before the end of the debate.
“We’re excited for people to learn about vice presidential candidates,” Bialecki said. “They aren't the top of the ticket, but they're there with them. So it’s an important event.”
Bialecki highlighted Elon Votes efforts to keep the Elon community politically engaged as election day grows near. Elon Votes has had a weekly voter registration drive, hosted events — such as conversations on anxiety surrounding the election and how AI may impact the election — and candidate forums.
“We understand that sometimes getting information and hearing from candidates can be hard or daunting,” Bialecki said. “We want to make sure people have a space to watch an event and hear people talk about it or come ask us questions.”
Attendee sophomore Jinelle Gonzalez went to the presidential debate Sept. 10 and found it to be an enjoyable experience. As a member of the Student Government Association, Gonzalez helped to organize the watch party.
After listening to the different policy positions of Vance and Walz, Gonzalez said her preconceived opinions of the two candidates had changed.
“The way they presented themselves today is very different from what I’ve heard about them on social media as well as on the news,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said she believes events hosted by Elon Votes help people to learn about what is happening in the election cycle and help to create a community with other students on campus.
“Events like this, especially during an election cycle, are very important for helping people get informed,” Gonzalez said. “As well as helping people learn about the election and what happens during an election in a safe space.”
For more information, visit Elon Votes in Kernodle Center for Civic Life in Moseley Student Center.