Fulton County Voter Education and Outreach manager Lashandra Little spoke to several Spelman College students on Monday, Sept. 16, about ways they can actively prepare for the upcoming presidential election. The Spelman Student Government Association (SGA) and the Spelman Bonner Program collaborated so the student body could become informed about topics ranging from voter eligibility to various methods of voting.
“This is a very pertinent election that’s coming up, and we want to make sure we engage our voters, educate them on the requirements to vote, about who’s eligible to vote and the importance of voting in all elections,” 19-year-old Bonner scholar and SGA secretary of institutional advancement Taniyah Taitano said.
Covering 538 square miles in Fulton County, Little and her team aim to educate the population on non-partisan voting-related issues. From high schools to senior homes, they better educate voters on how to become engaged with the election process. This is particularly critical for out-of-state students and a handful of senior citizens to ensure that they are registered to vote, have acquired an absentee ballot, and remain current on how to pursue their early voting.
“The senior centers are my favorite places to go because they’re very excited and always engaged with the voting process, so just helping them in any way we can is rewarding for me,” Fulton County Voter Education Outreach coordinator Naomi Wagner said.
Little allowed students to ask questions following the presentation of several slides, including crucial concepts about this year’s election process and the details of the Fulton County ballot. While college students may perceive the voting process as tedious, they are often reminded that the results of local and national elections will directly influence their livelihood.
“This event sparked my interest because I believe voter education is just as important as casting your vote, said Kennedy Clemmons, a Spelman College student. “A big misconception we hear is that one vote won’t affect anything, so it’s important to know that your vote matters.”
Voter suppression bills in Georgia, such as SB 202, have limited access to ballots, restricted the number of ballot dropboxes, shortened the window for absentee and early ballots, and banned the distribution of food and water in voting lines. Ideally, Little’s efforts to inform the residents of Fulton County will successfully prevent these bills from adversely affecting voter turnouts.
“Voter suppression has been an issue in Georgia for a number of years now. As someone from a very democratic area, I find implementing the initiatives I see at home here crucial,” Bonner Liaison Samaya Goodwin said.
The session concluded with a skit presented by the Bonner scholars, in which they accurately portrayed the voting process.
“Vote for democracy, do your research, and take the time to diligently focus on what’s happening around the world, not just in the US domestically but also globally,” Taitano said.