by Riley Blankenship

Excitement filled the air on campus on October 17 as Greensboro College students participated in Pride to the Polls, a creative way to empower student’s voices in the upcoming election. More than 40 students and faculty – including first-time presidential election voters – walked together from the fountain on front campus to the Guilford County courthouse to cast their early vote. The event, organized in partnership with GC Votes Greensboro College’s voter coalition managed by Director of Student Success Warche Downing and Greensboro College’s Civic Engagement Program led by junior Xypher Pino, aimed to boost civic participation and make voting accessible for all.  Students were given Green GC Votes drawstring bags which included snacks and a voter guide to help students understand what was on the ballot. Students embodied both our college’s pride and a shared commitment to civic duty as they made their way to the polls.

Pride to the Polls launched in 2022 to empower students to make their voices heard through voting. Here at Greensboro College, many students are from out of state and are often registered to vote back home. A key goal for GC Votes is to inform students that they can update their voter registration to Greensboro College, making it easier to vote locally without the need to travel home. This option enables students to participate in elections right here in Greensboro. Throughout the months awaiting the election, GC Votes has had several programs and activates for students to get involved in, to understand more about the 2024 election. One of the most notable events that were held was September 10 as students and faculty gathered in the Student Center to watch the presidential debate in addition to engaging in a post-debate discussion.

The Collegian spoke with Warche Downing, director of student success and a key organizer of GC Votes, about the event. Downing explained that having an organized group like GC Votes, along with the Civic Leadership Program, helps reach a broader range of students on campus. When asked about the main goal of the event, Downing said his primary objective was for students to understand the power of their voices through voting. With Election Day approaching, Downing emphasized the importance of student participation, saying, “No matter how big or small an election may be, it is your civic duty to vote and make your voice heard.” He added that this year’s ballot includes critical issues that significantly impact daily life.

This year’s Pride to the Polls had the largest turnout yet doubling the participation from 2022. Professors from various departments, including political science, criminal justice and history attended the event. A notable number of athletes showed up their voice heard as well.

Once at the courthouse, students and faculty lined up to vote and received a yellow sample ballot for reviewing the races. They also had the opportunity to update their voter ID or obtain an approved North Carolina voter ID card from the State Board of Elections. One notable aspect that stood out to me compared to my voting experience during the midterms in 2022 back home was the absence of electronic voting machines; instead, paper ballots were used. This difference showed the local voting culture and the community engagement at the polls. As a political science major, casting my vote for the first time was a momentous experience, reflecting the importance of civic participation. It felt empowering to contribute to the democratic process. I appreciated the opportunity to engage with fellow students and faculty who shared the same commitment to making our voices heard.