MU student political groups are working to create space for MU students to participate in the general election
Disclaimer: This article should not be taken as an endorsement from The Maneater, nor does the article claim to be an exhaustive list of all student organizations hosting events for the 2024 presidential election. Additional organizations and events can be found on MU Engage.
The University of Missouri’s student-led political groups are working to increase the young voter turnout. Young people under the age of 25 have previously had lower presidential election participation than any other age group. In the 2020 election, 51.4% of people ages 18 to 24 voted, compared to a national voter turnout of 66.8%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
“If you want something to change, you have to actually do something to change it, and one of the ways we do that in this country is by voting,” Brenden Poteet, Vice President of Mizzou College Republicans, said.
During meetings, groups discuss more than the presidential candidates to teach students about upcoming ballot measures, political candidates and voting procedures.
‘“I know I’m going to vote, maybe for Kamala’, but then it’s like, ‘who’s running for U.S. Senate, who’s running for your state house, who’s running for your county commission?’” TJ Benoist, the Communications Director for Mizzou College Democrats, said. “Just telling people what’s on there and getting them out to vote for all of the issues is very important.”
Understanding ballot measures and political candidates’ plans can help students feel equipped to confidently vote in an election. However, some students struggle to find credible information and trustworthy sources.
“If you don’t grow up hearing about the biggest news sources that are known for being unbiased and for being reputable, it can be really hard to figure out what is and what isn’t,” said first-year student Colette Miller.
Benoist says that he wants to ensure that Mizzou College Democrats provides information that applies to all political parties. He believes that informed voting is a civic duty, and is a registered notary. During club meetings, he is available to notarize student absentee ballots.
“If you want to have a voice in democracy, your vote is your voice, and we’re encouraging everyone to utilize it,” Benoist said.
Mizzou College Republicans is utilizing other methods of mobilization. Poteet says he believes that one of the best strategies to create a more politically active environment and mobilize voters is to make others aware of the Mizzou College Republicans’ presence on campus.
First-year student Helton Walker says that she appreciates being part of a campus with active political groups.
“I definitely think it’s important to have, especially on a college campus when you have a lot of first-year voters and people who might not know about how voter registration works,” Walker said.
Several groups on campus offer opportunities for political activism. Mizzou Young Democratic Socialists of America works with groups like the Laborer’s International Union of North America Local 955, an organization that advocates for worker’s rights, and The Center Project, Columbia’s LGBTQ+ community center, to help students get involved.
“It’s incredibly important for us to fight for everyone’s rights,” Sami Binning, co-chair of YDSA, said. “That also looked like us gathering signatures for the minimum wage ballot initiative and the abortion ballot initiative this past year.”
Some MU students believe that these groups’ efforts can encourage political involvement among students. Bridge Mizzou, a non-partisan political group that aims to “reduce political division through constructive dialogue,” and the Mizzou Political Science Honors Society hosted watch parties for the Sept. 16 presidential debate and the Oct. 1 vice-presidential debate.
“I know a lot of people who watched the debates because there were [events] hosted,” Walker said. “I think that’s really important because you can tell your friends, ‘Hey, I’m gonna go watch this [to] be more informed on what’s happening, you should come with.’”
For more information about student political groups’ events and election preparation related to the 2024 election, visit The Maneater’s election guide.
Edited by Maya Dawson | mdawson@themaneater.com
Copyedited by Hannah Tayor | htaylor@themaneater.com
Edited by Emilia Hansen | ehansen@themaneater.com
Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com