Penn State Votes, the nonpartisan student organization dedicated to promoting civic engagement on campus, has introduced a new initiative called ‘Ballot Buddies.’ The program aims to boost student voter participation by using peer-to-peer outreach and providing accurate, nonpartisan information about voting procedures and local elections.

Program Details and Volunteer Structure

The ‘Ballot Buddies’ initiative is open to all Penn State students, regardless of major or class year, who are interested in civic engagement and community outreach. Volunteers will receive training to assist their peers with nonpartisan voter-engagement efforts, including sharing official election information, promoting voting resources, and helping others handle common questions about the voting process.

Volunteers are expected to dedicate approximately one hour per week to their responsibilities, ensuring the program is flexible enough to accommodate students’ academic and personal schedules. The initiative is designed to make voting information more accessible and to encourage active participation in local, state, and national elections.

Training for ‘Ballot Buddies’ will be provided through Penn State Votes, which serves as the university’s primary source of voting information and civic education. The program builds upon existing efforts to increase student voter turnout, particularly in campus-wide elections and local community events.

Why Student Engagement Matters

Student voter participation has long been a focus for universities across the United States, as young voters often represent a significant portion of the electorate. According to recent studies, student turnout in local and national elections has historically lagged behind that of other age groups, prompting universities to implement programs aimed at increasing civic engagement.

Penn State, with its large student population and diverse campus community, has been at the forefront of such efforts. In the 2020 presidential election, for example, the university saw a significant increase in student voter registration, which officials attributed in part to similar outreach initiatives.

By creating a peer-led program like ‘Ballot Buddies,’ Penn State Votes is addressing a key barrier to participation: the lack of accessible, reliable information. Many students, particularly first-year students, may not be familiar with the voting process or the resources available to them. The program aims to bridge this knowledge gap through direct, personal engagement with fellow students.

According to Penn State Votes, the initiative will also provide ongoing support for students throughout the year, including reminders about registration deadlines, updates on local elections, and guidance on how to vote in various formats, such as mail-in or absentee ballots.

Impact on Campus and Beyond

The ‘Ballot Buddies’ program is expected to have a broader impact beyond just increasing student voter turnout. By supporting a culture of civic engagement, the initiative aims to encourage long-term participation in democratic processes and community involvement.

Several universities have already seen the positive effects of similar peer-led initiatives. For example, the University of California, Berkeley, implemented a similar program in 2018, which saw a notable increase in student registration and participation in local elections. Penn State officials hope ‘Ballot Buddies’ will achieve similar results.

In addition, the program could serve as a model for other universities seeking to improve student engagement in civic life. By focusing on peer-to-peer education and accessibility, Penn State Votes is addressing a key challenge in modern democratic participation: ensuring that all students, regardless of background or experience, have the tools and support needed to vote.

Students interested in becoming ‘Ballot Buddies’ can sign up to receive training and volunteer information through the Penn State Votes website. The program is set to begin in the fall semester, with a goal of registering a large number of student volunteers across campus.

Penn State Votes continues to serve as a vital resource for students seeking information on voter registration, polling locations, election deadlines, and other key aspects of the voting process. Additional details about the ‘Ballot Buddies’ program and other initiatives can be found at psuvotes.psu.edu.