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On National Voter Registration Day (Sept. 15), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's chapter of Collegiate 100 hosted a Voter Registration Day, registering students and encouraging them to see their vote as consequential ahead of upcoming elections.

The event drew students at every stage of civic awareness, from freshmen registering for the first time to upperclassmen already engaged in the process, also highlighting the University's approach to nonpartisan civic learning, voter education and student electoral participation.

SIUE's Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub serves as an early voting location for registered Madison County residents.

Kylie Carson, a freshman nursing major, said the event marked her introduction to voting. "If you're in person and you just see a whole bunch of groups getting together to vote, you would probably engage a little bit more," Carson said.

Other students echoed that sentiment.

Jaylin Bell, a freshman business administration major, and Sami Schneider, a first-year marketing major, both said they learned about the event through word of mouth and the Suitable app. Schneider said having a dedicated event to walk students through registration removes a barrier that can otherwise discourage young voters.

"Voting can be a long process for anybody and confusing," Schneider said. "Especially when there's young people who maybe didn't have the ability to register to vote or the awareness to vote, the fact that they have people helping out with it and really walking people through the process, I think is really helpful." 

Schneider said the Collegiate 100’s decision to host voter registration "puts them out there" and demonstrates the organization's value to the broader student body.

Barrvone Bonner, a junior political science major and president of SIUE's Collegiate 100 chapter, said the event reflects a broader goal of increasing civic engagement among young voters, both at SIUE and beyond.

"Many voters feel very discouraged. They feel like their vote doesn't have impact, when that's quite the opposite," Bonner said. "If you think your vote does not have power, and it doesn't matter if you vote or not, that's going to lead to civic engagement not going as high."

Bonner pointed to low turnout in recent elections as a warning sign, particularly among younger voters, and argued that students have standing to shape the world they are inheriting.

"We cannot have a say if we do not use our voice and our vote," Bonner said. 

Beyond the ballot box, Bonner encouraged students to stay engaged year-round by attending city council meetings, contacting elected representatives and joining civic organizations such as the NAACP or local political associations.

"Getting involved is how we make a real impact, not only with our community, but with our government and with our country," Bonner said.

SIUE’s voter registration efforts are part of a larger national movement—the All In Campus Democracy Challenge, a nonpartisan initiative that encourages colleges and universities to boost civic engagement and voter participation. SIUE has been a member of the initiative since 2016, and this year, the K-Hub has made it a priority to extend its outreach.

Photos by Hunter Fridley