October 29, 2024 — With one week until Election Day, Marist students are ensuring their peers are prepared to vote through the ongoing, nonpartisan initiative MaristVOTES. Supported by Marist’s Center for Civic Engagement and Leadership, this student-led effort is focused on getting eligible students registered and ready to vote, no matter where they are from.

“Voting is my civic duty,” said Simrit Atwal '25, political science major and MaristVOTES volunteer. “It’s important to be politically and civically engaged as a young person and encourage other young people to vote.”

“It’s important to get involved with student movements to promote voting since young people have a lot of power and will be running the country one day,” said Claire Middleton '25, crime and justice studies and political science double major and MaristVOTES volunteer. “I think Gen Z will be dominant in this upcoming election, especially with our presidential candidates focusing on getting the youth vote.” 

MaristVOTES will continue to have informational tabling around campus today (12-2 p.m. in the Champagnat Breezeway) and tomorrow (11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the dining tent). 

The group has also arranged free shuttle service to the Mid-Hudson Library Auditorium early voting location through Sunday, Nov. 3. Shuttles will make a loop between campus and the location each day, departing from Donnelly on the hour and half-hour during the following times:

• Tuesday, Oct. 29: 12-2 p.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 30: 12-2 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 31: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 1: 1-3 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 2: 9-11 a.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 3: 3-5 p.m.

Live Congressional Debate Highlights Busy Season at Marist
In addition to the voter registration efforts, Marist hosted one of the few televised debates in one of the most hotly contested congressional elections in New York. 

Democratic incumbent Rep. Pat Ryan and Republican challenger Alison Esposito take part in a debate in the Nelly Goletti Theatre on Oct. 16. Photo by Nelson Echeverria/Marist College.

The candidates from the state’s 18th Congressional District, Democratic incumbent Rep. Pat Ryan and Republican challenger Alison Esposito, took part in the Oct. 16 debate, in the Nelly Goletti Theatre. It aired live on Spectrum News 1 and was hosted by the network’s political anchors Susan Arbetter and Errol Louis.

The lively debate was attended exclusively by Marist students, faculty, and staff. 

Ryan and Esposito squared off on some of the most pressing issues in this election, including the economy, inflation, foreign policy, immigration, and abortion. For Marist students, this was a unique opportunity to watch the political process in action from the Poughkeepsie campus.

“As a global studies major and political science minor, I am constantly reminded of how fortunate I am to attend an institution that consistently offers students enriching educational opportunities like this,” said Hunter Petro ’26. “Whether it’s events like this, organizations like the Marist Poll, or clubs like MaristVOTES, Marist has a clear commitment to empowering students to engage in the democratic process.”

"Hosting the debate on campus brought students closer to the democratic process,” said Lauren Lagasse ’25. “It was an exciting experience to watch live. Local elections are just as impactful as federal elections, and encouraging students to stay informed about their potential local leaders is important. Even if students aren't from the Hudson Valley, the debate provided valuable behind-the-scenes insight.”

While deadlines to request absentee ballots have passed, it’s not too late to make a voting plan. MaristVOTES has a number of helpful resources for students available on their Instagram Linktree.