Voting

#VotingisSocialWork campaign across Mason’s campus aims to increase student voters this election

Mary Cunningham — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 16:49:18 +0000

#VotingisSocialWork campaign across Mason’s campus aims to increase student voters this election Mary Cunningham Wed, 10/26/2022 - 12:49

In This Story

Emily Ihara, PhD, MSW, FGSA

Master of Social Work Student Association Members promoted #VotingisSocialWork with chalk art throughout Mason's campus. Photo by Michelle Thompson.

The national campaign, #VotingisSocialWork, has been promoted by the ��AV student organization Masters of Social Work Student Association (MSWSA) around social media and across campus encouraging students to register if they haven’t in order to vote in the November 2022 elections.

Emily Ihara, a professor and chair of the Department of Social Work within Mason's College of Health and Human Services, said the student group’s goals include sharing tools to raise awareness about registration and voting with both the public at large and social workers in particular.

“Social work is part of public health and public health is part of social work. They both can work together to solve the world's problems in a way that creates a healthier community worldwide,” said Katreena Blazewicz, MSWSA treasurer.

The group’s 34 members have promoted voting and answered questions about registration, translation, and transportation, sharing voter resources such as QR codes.

“We were inspired by a couple of factors: the [Oct. 8] Women’s March was coming and we had just visited the Lucy Burns Museum, where the women suffragettes for were imprisoned for protesting for women’s rights to vote,” said Laura Lento, secretary of the MSWSA.

“The Women’s March highlighted so many issues, including international issues,” Blazewicz said.

November 8 is election day. In Virginia, the in-person early voting registration deadline is Nov. 5. All absentee ballots must be turned in by Nov. 8, by 7 p.m. if submitted in-person.

“We need to not only vote, but get more social workers in government and willing to help work on policies,” said Blazewicz. “What we deal with every day as social workers is incredibly impacted by the laws and can make our jobs harder.”

Social work takes on macro societal issues and ultimately aims to defend the rights of their clients and their communities, group members said.

“We are promoting social justice and making sure that we're protecting those who are marginalized. That’s the whole purpose of social work,” said Anna Christopher.

"What is not possible now, with advocacy, hopefully we can make possible,” said Lento.

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CHHS Students in Action

Students

Podcast - EP 43: Are the midterm elections the most consequential of our time?

Damian Cristodero — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 15:32:21 +0000

Podcast - EP 43: Are the midterm elections the most consequential of our time? Damian Cristodero Tue, 10/18/2022 - 11:32

In This Story

Gregory Washington

Jennifer N. Victor

Are the midterm elections the most consequential of our time? Jennifer Victor, associate professor of political science in Mason’s Schar School of Policy and Government, and Mason president Gregory Washington wrestle with that, and you might be surprised at the answer. Want more surprises? Then hear why high voter turnout could be a double-edged sword for our democracy and how the parties misread the electorate. And just what is “thermostatic politics?”

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Access to Excellence podcast

Social Work Faculty Rome Publishes New Textbook about Promoting Voting Rights

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 20:01:39 +0000

Social Work Faculty Rome Publishes New Textbook about Promoting Voting Rights Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 01/18/2022 - 15:01

Promote the Vote: Positioning Social Workers for Action asserts that supporting political participation is integral to social work practice.

The publication of a new book by Sunny Harris Rome, a professor in the Department of Social Work, comes at a critical time when voting rights are at risk in Virginia and around the nation. Her book details why social workers should be invested in promoting voter participation in the United States and how to support civic participation, particularly among low-turnout groups.

Promote the Vote: Positioning Social Workers for Action is the first social work textbook with a sole focus on voting. It asserts that empowering underrepresented communities to participate in the American political process is integral to social work practice.

Sunny Harris Rome, MSW, JD

“Engaging in voter education and mobilization is a great way for us as social workers to translate into action our commitment to social and economic justice,” says Rome, emphasizing the importance of her book’s timely publication. “We [as social workers] have an ethical mandate to be involved in social and political action and to involve others.”

The book lays out many of the current social and economic realities that define the United States in 2022. These include gun violence, hate crimes, and racial injustice, in addition to voter suppression and intimidation.

Furthermore, Promote the Vote, provides a brief history of voting right in the U.S. This section discusses key policies that expanded voting rights as well as setbacks that kept populations such as African Americans and women from the polls.

Connecting history to the present, Rome dedicates another section to current voting patterns and trends in the U.S. This chapter reveals that despite increased voter turnout in recent elections, huge disparities remain. Rome explores different theories to explain what motivates people to vote and how various characteristics such as political party affiliation, race, income, geography, and more influence the way an individual votes.

Additionally, Rome’s book offers research findings, practical information, and case examples from her own students on expanding civic participation. For example, a Master of Social Work student created informational flyers in English and Spanish on voting for an agency serving people in poverty. The flyers were included in about 6,000 food baskets distributed to low-income households throughout Washington, D.C.

Another one of Rome’s students, who worked at an adult detention center in Virginia, developed a workshop about voting rights for people who are incarcerated. Through this, many of the men at the detention center became aware of their eligibility.

The many real-world examples in the book illustrate the countless ways one can support equal participation in the voting process. Furthermore, Rome notes that another important strategy is to advocate for more voter-friendly policies.

“I believe we are in a moment of crisis. We are at a historical crossroads,” Rome says. “And the only way forward is to push back against voter suppression. Now more than ever, it’s really important that we all get involved.”

Rome notes there’s a long list of marginalized groups that remain underrepresented at the polls including people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants, those experiencing homelessness, LGBTQ+ people—particularly those who are transgender—and survivors of domestic violence. Since members of these groups are often social work clients, her book devotes a section to understanding their unique challenges as voters and suggests actionable solutions.

“Research shows that people who vote have better health and mental health outcomes,” says Rome about the positive impact of civic participation. “Communities are more cohesive. They experience less crime. Voter participation strengthens both individuals and communities.”

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Vice President Kamala Harris encourages Mason students to get out the vote

Mariam Aburdeineh — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 18:02:22 +0000

Vice President Kamala Harris encourages Mason students to get out the vote Mariam Aburdeineh Wed, 09/29/2021 - 14:02

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris visited ��AV’s Fairfax Campus on Tuesday to speak to students on the importance of voting, in commemoration of National Voter Registration Day.

Before appearing to hundreds of students gathered on Wilkins Plaza, the vice president spoke to Assistant Professor Samuel Frye’s integrative studies class, “Community, Culture and Change,” as a surprise guest speaker.

“I wanted to come and talk with you because you are the leaders of today and tomorrow,” Harris said. “In the tradition of George Mason, and the leadership of students at this particular university, I am a strong believer that the most important progress that our country has made has been a function of movements, and almost every one of those movements were fueled by students.”

Harris, who was welcomed by Provost Mark Ginsberg and answered student questions following her talk, also spoke on the power of community engagement, and on protecting voting rights for all citizens.

“Some of our greatest movements [as a nation] have been built not only by community, but about a way of doing policy work and organizing that is called coalition-building, knowing that the vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us,” Harris said.

“One of the biggest takeaways I had from today was how [Harris] emphasized our strength in numbers,” said Sydney Howard, a junior studying social justice and human rights. “It can be discouraging to think [if] our vote matters individually, but she touched on the power we have when we stick together and the policies that we’ve already brought into fruition.”

Harris emphasized that the goal of American democracy should be unity, not uniformity, where all voices can be heard and disagreements on the issues can be explored with healthy debates.

“Your vote is an expression of your voice, and we should never support anything that would stifle somebody’s voice or take their power,” Harris said, making the case that Congress should pass the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

The vice president also mentioned how Mason’s efforts in registering students to vote in 2020, and subsequent polling turnout, helped pave the way for change across the nation.

“Students got out and voted, and it was powerful,” Harris said. “You have demonstrated a durability to organize the power of your vote in a climate where the right to vote is being threatened.”

“I really enjoyed hearing [the vice president] talk about how each voice matters” said McKenna Beauchamp, a senior integrative studies major. “We shouldn’t push away other people’s voices because they don’t conform to the whole idea [of a particular party].”

“I'm extremely grateful for [Harris] coming out here, just showing the students that voting is important,” said Mason Student Body President Natalia Kanos. “Her presence reassures that Mason is advancing in so many ways—it puts our university in the forefront, and I'm really excited to be part of this institution, to register people to vote, to get people out there.”

Students said the opportunity to engage with the vice president was exciting and surreal, and felt it was a unique benefit afforded to them by Mason.

“Being this close to D.C.… we have the opportunity to engage with policymakers [and] change-makers firsthand,” Howard said. “They care about the quality of our education, they want to come in and assist us in that, and it’s a great opportunity.”

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Campus News

School of Integrative Studies

Taking Action to Fight Systemic Racism and Register Hard-to-Reach Voters

John Brandon Cantrell — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 20:38:37 +0000

Taking Action to Fight Systemic Racism and Register Hard-to-Reach Voters John Brandon C… Fri, 03/26/2021 - 16:38

Miller’s academic and advocacy work culminated in being awarded the CRISP Outstanding Student of the Year Award in March 2021

Master of Social Work Student Recognized for Voter Outreach

After the wrongful deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor shook the nation, Caprecia Miller, a Master’s of Social Work student at the College of Health and Human Services, wanted to take action to address issues of systemic racism and police brutality. Her goal was to increase voter accessibility.

“I believe social workers have a responsibility to raise awareness about the importance of voting and voter registration with their clients, regardless of political affiliation,” Miller said. The ability to have one’s voice heard by voting is actually a social determinant of health (Healthy People 2020) and a constitutional right that some choose not to exercise for a wide variety of reasons. She began to research voting organizations and soon signed up to be a Voting Squad Captain for When We All Vote, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization with a mission to increase voter participation in every election.

Feeling distraught after watching the news about George Floyd’s death just a month later, Miller took yet another step toward her goal and set up a voter registration booth near the protests in Washington, D.C. “This is what motivated me and inspired me to get people registered to vote,” Miller said. “I wanted to go where large amounts of people were. This is when I started showing up at Black Lives Matter Plaza and used the protests as an opportunity to register voters.”

Through her work, Miller became a familiar face to many at the protests, both to locals and those who have traveled from different parts of the country to show support. She will always remember the opportunity to speak with individuals facing housing concerns and register them to vote. “I quickly became a regular at Black Lives Matter Plaza, and several people experiencing homelessness desired to help me set up my table each Saturday,” Miller recalls.

The experience of speaking with individuals at the protests demonstrated to Miller how many are interested in expressing their concerns when given the opportunity to do so, which inspired her to increase her outreach initiatives. “I learned that people really want someone to take the time to listen to them,” Miller said. “A lot of times we are quick to ask, ‘Are you registered to vote?’ That is not enough when you are trying to register the hard-to-reach voters.”

Her work in registering hard-to-reach voters did not go unnoticed. When We All Vote recognized Miller as being in the top 3 Voting Squad Captains in the nation, resulting in a surprise phone call from two prominent members of the organization. Miller received a call from Meghan Markle, who is an ambassador for When We All Vote, and Gloria Steinem, an icon of the women’s movement. “I tried to remain professional and calm but then showed my excitement – I lost it!” said Miller. “We chatted for a while and spoke about the importance of the upcoming election. It was a great call, indeed, and we all shared the same concerns.”

In addition to the phone call, Miller received a personal letter from Former First Lady Michelle Obama, a co-founder of When We All Vote. She was also featured in stories by Vox and NPR.

At Mason, Miller was able to combine her passion for voter outreach with her coursework in the Master of Social Work program. “I learned a great deal in SOCW:676 Voting, Empowerment & Social Justice with Professor Rome … and SOCW: 659 (Organizing and Advocating for Change), as well.” Miller had the opportunity to participate in several events that allowed her to gain resources for voting outreach, as well as the chance to speak on the importance of passing H.R. 1 - For The Peoples Act to Congressional staffers. “I was able to make connections and network at the macro-level through my attendance at the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work & Policy (CRISP) Congressional Roundtable, Social Work Day on the Hill, and Student Advocacy Day.”

Miller’s academic and advocacy work culminated in being awarded the CRISP Outstanding Student of the Year Award in March 2021. When asked about her future, Miller stated that she plans to graduate with her Master’s in Social Work in May 2021 and work to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. “As a U.S. Army Veteran, I desire to continue giving back and working with Veterans and families and hope to become a part of the Department of Veterans Affairs Team,” Miller said. “I plan to remain engaged in my community and will continue to volunteer when opportunities present themselves. I most definitely will be actively involved with civic engagement leading up to the mid-term elections.”

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Strong student voter turnout earns Mason ‘Voter-Friendly’ Campus recognition

Colleen Rich — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 14:39:33 +0000

Strong student voter turnout earns Mason ‘Voter-Friendly’ Campus recognition Colleen Rich Wed, 03/17/2021 - 10:39

��AV, the largest and most diverse public research university in the Commonwealth of Virginia, was named a “Voter Friendly Campus” as the result of a campus-wide strategy to increase voter turnout. Mason is one of more than 231 colleges and universities across 37 states and the District of Columbia to earn this designation.

“Mason has experienced steady increases in student voter participation over the past decade, so I view this designation as a recognition of that progress and validation that campus-wide initiatives like Mason Votes actually do have a positive impact on civic engagement,” said Jason Hartsel, assistant director of student media and communication and marketing faculty member.

Mason students living and registered on campus vote at the University Precinct in Merten Hall, which is in the 11th Congressional District. In November 2020, 347 people voted in the presidential election in the University Precinct.

According to Tufts’ National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement (NSLVE), Mason voting rates in midterm elections, which typically see much lower turnout than presidential cycles, more than doubled from 2014 to 2018, from 24.6% to 52.4%, respectively, and Mason’s presidential voting turnout exceeded the national average by about 15 percentage points in both 2012 and 2016.

“Voting is so important because we elect individuals who potentially have the power to change our own lives or the lives of other communities,” said Mason Student Body President Shelby Adams. “Being a Voter Friendly campus shows that, as students, we recognize a change needs to come, and we are willing to be a part of that change.”

The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement reports that 52% to 55% percent of voting-eligible young people, ages 18-29, cast a ballot in the 2020 presidential election.

The Voter Friendly Campus designation aims to showcase efforts that help students overcome barriers to participating in the political process and develop a culture of democratic engagement on campus and in the local community. The initiative is led by the national nonpartisan organizations Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project (CVP) and NASPA–Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. The designation is valid through December 2022.

Despite the global pandemic, Mason increased its academic collaborations, with the additions of members from the Office of Community Engagement and Civic Learning and Coalition Building and Diversity Education, and partnered with the League of Women Voters and the Fairfax County Board of Elections.

Student Media received a grant from the Parents Fund in Fall 2020 to offer experiential learning scholarships to students serving on the 2020 Mason Votes Online Editorial Team. As a result of more original content offerings, masonvotes.gmu.edu saw a significant increase in web traffic during the 2020 election.

“Students feel passionate about issues like social justice, immigrant rights, gender equality, ballot access, and many others, but implementing positive change in those spaces is only possible through meaningful participation in the political process,” said Hartsel.

Mason Cable Network's 2020 Live Election Coverage, which was live for about eight hours on Election Day and through 3:30 a.m. the next day, also proved to be successful.

“Not only did we have a successful broadcast that provided meaningful content to the Mason student body, but we blew everyone's expectations out of the water,” said Mason News Network General Manager Cruz Sanchez.

To encourage long-term civic engagement, Mason established a post-election committee to ensure a safe place to discuss the results of the election and people's reactions to it.

“No matter the outcome, the committee found it pertinent to establish post-election events to cater to student's needs,” said Noah Mack, a first-year student in the Schar School of Policy and Government.

Learn more about the “Voter Friendly Campus” initiative at www.voterfriendlycampus.org.

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Campus News

Mason Votes

Voting

Statistics seniors receive award at American Statistical Association national data challenge

Martha Bushong — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 12:09:10 +0000

Statistics seniors receive award at American Statistical Association national data challenge Martha Bushong Thu, 01/21/2021 - 07:09

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Volgenau School of Engineering

Four seniors majoring in statistics––Emily Litzenberg, Kate Lang, Nate Mulugeta, and Shannon Connor––received an honorable mention for the best use of external data at the American Statistical Association’s (ASA) Fall Data Challenge 2020.

For the national competition, called Get Out the Vote, teams of high school and undergraduate students submitted their recommendations on how to increase voter turnout using voting behavior data from the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. High school and undergraduate students were judged separately.

Mason’s team looked at the data from 2000 to 2016 to see if there was an increase in registered voters who didn’t vote because they didn’t like either candidate in the presidential race. “We found there was a rise in people who didn’t vote over the years because of dislike for the candidates,” Connor says.

The group was then tasked with coming up with a way to improve voter turnout, and they suggested ranked-choice voting in which voters rank candidates by preference on their ballots, she says.

Connor says the project gave the students a chance to work closely on a statistical analysis. “I learned a lot about how to go from start to finish with a statistical group project.”

Elizabeth Johnson, an associate professor of statistics and the group’s sponsor, says, “This national competition allows students to work in teams to investigate current issues using real data, They experience the whole research process of creating a research question before collecting, analyzing, and reporting on data. I am very proud of their accomplishment in a very competitive field."

Four senior students from the Department of Statistics received an honorable mention for the best use of external data at the American Statistical Association’s (ASA) Fall Data Challenge 2020. Pictured from the left are Shannon Connor, Nate Mulugeta, and Emily Litzenberg. Kate Lang is not pictured.

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