Students at Hampton University’s Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications introduced a pioneering digital Absentee Voting Guide to enhance civic engagement and streamline the process. This comprehensive tool is designed to assist citizens across all 50 states and the District of Columbia in securely submitting their absentee ballots before the upcoming elections.
A Collaborative Project
The interactive guide features a state-by-state breakdown that simplifies the absentee voting process. With an easy-to-navigate interactive map and tailored guidelines, users can find vital information on everything from ballot request deadlines to submission protocols, making the voting process more accessible and encouraging greater voter participation.
Developed by a team of 52 journalism students, each assigned to research specific states, the guide reflects meticulous research. The sophomore-level course “Reporting and Writing Across Platforms” focused on consulting state election websites and clarifying discrepancies to ensure the accuracy of the information provided. A senior editing team subsequently refined the project, while students from the Honors College took charge of the final design and interactive elements.
Professor Koppikar, who has experience as a press secretary for two U.S. Congress members, led the initiative. She emphasized the importance of empowering students to understand the election system. “Journalism and democracy are tightly intertwined. For that reason, it’s important to get students involved in learning to research, report, and write about the basics of our election system,” she stated.
Generation Z’s Impact on Elections
As Election Day approaches, the significance of college student participation cannot be overstated. Generation Z—individuals under 30—are poised to play a critical role in shaping the outcome of the elections. With over 40 million young people in this demographic, including eight million newly eligible voters, understanding their unique priorities is essential. A recent survey by Tufts’ Tisch College Center revealed that inflation, abortion rights, job security, and climate change rank high among Gen Z voters’ concerns.
