With the 2024 elections fast approaching, staff at Antioch University’s New England location have set up a voter table to register provide students, staff, and faculty with information and resources about how to register to vote, and to share stickers, t-shirts, and raffle prizes. The table includes equal parts Antioch-themed swag and pamphlets on voter rights, political parties, and how to register to vote. It is organized by the New England Community Council with support and funding from the wider Antioch Works for Democracy initiative.
New England’s voter registration table began as a conversation between Deb Barrett, Director of Student Services and Engagement, and Cheryl Lower, Director of Administrative Operations. Both staff members felt, as Barrett says, “that it would be a great idea to engage students in how and where to vote, especially as we have students who have just moved here.” This tied in neatly with the Fund for Democratic Initiatives, a pot of money set aside by Antioch’s Chancellor to support diverse projects led by the grassroots. The Fund for Democratic Initiatives was one part of the larger Antioch Works for Democracy project, a university-wide effort across all campus locations to strengthen democracy by means of education, open dialogue, and nonpartisan resources that was launched in July. Lower and Barrett applied for funding to set up a voter table, and their project was enthusiastically approved.
The table and its resources are not just limited to students new to the area. “We’re thinking of students, faculty, staff, as well as the Keene community,” says Barrett, “because we definitely feel like it is important to get the word out and share information.” In fact, as part of the proposal to Antioch Works for Democracy, Barrett and Lower included tabling days where they would bring these materials out into the wider Keene community. There are plans for the voter registration table to appear repeatedly across Keene and the New England campus in the weeks leading up to the election. This includes tabling during busy class days on campus, particularly Mondays for the PsyD department and during Environment Science departmental events.
Barrett and Lower are also excited about engaging with the wider community throughout Keene, where they have already set up the table at Keene’s 125th Anniversary event, and they intend to bring the table for future appearances at the Keene Farmers Market and a local coffee shop, Brewbaker’s.
It’s proving to be useful and popular with students and faculty alike. Third-year PsyD student Brittney Kleinfelter says, “I’m grateful to attend a program like Antioch’s where social justice and advocacy are promoted in unique ways.” She says, “The recent voter registration table highlights the importance of having student and community voices heard in local and national elections.”
The voter registration table is both a tangible way to engage community members with resources on voting and an opportunity to encourage education, open dialogue, and further Antioch’s wider commitment to social justice. As Lower says, “I am thankful to Antioch University for providing the funding for our project and the many other diverse initiatives throughout our schools and campus locations to strengthen and support the democratic process.”
Barrett shares similar thoughts, noting the pride she takes in being part of the Antioch community. She notes that their table is one of dozens of initiatives and events represented in the Antioch Works for Democracy umbrella—projects that span every campus location and academic school.
“I’m so excited that Antioch is taking this opportunity to educate people, get the word out, and all of the different ways everyone is doing it,” says Barrett. “You know, we’re reaching audiences in a way that I think offers something for everybody.”
The table—and the encouragement to vote and become involved—has created space for conversations and engagement. As Barrett says, “I think it is a great way for us to grow as a community and to bond over something. Any way you can educate is a great way to educate.”
