The National Voter Registration Day logo
Photo Courtesy of National Voter Registration Day
BY ELIZABETH KAMROWSKI, NEWS EDITOR
St. Bonaventure University registered a record number of voters in honor of National Voters Registration Day on Sept. 17.
Bonaventure held a voter registration table on campus from Sept. 16 to 18.
Tom Buttafarro, director of government and community relations, said the table’s purpose was to answer student questions.
“The main purpose is to answer questions and to get students comfortable with what they’re doing, and to make sure that they understand that they’re registered to vote correctly,” said Buttafarro.
This is the most successful year for the voter registration table with 113 individual students taking action, according to Buttafarro. 54 students registered to vote and 89 students did an absentee ballot, while some did both.
Buttafarro attributed this increase to the upcoming presidential election.
“I think there was an uptick in registration this year, because obviously the presidential election is widely being talked about,” said Buttafarro. “It’s highly contested and somewhat controversial, so I think students are seeing that and wanting to participate.”
With these increased numbers, Buttafarro said he wonders if the efforts at Bonaventure are making a difference in students’ interest in voting.
“There’s more people that filled out the absentee ballot than registered,” said Buttafarro. So, I take that as they were registered before, which makes me wonder if our efforts through the years are really starting to show.”
Claire Fisher, a senior communications, social justice and advocacy major volunteered during this event, where she helped students register to vote and request absentee ballots.
“I think it’s so important to vote and making that easier for people was so much fun,” said Fisher, the communication officer of the College Democrats. “I also think if I wasn’t already registered to vote, I would rather get help from a student I recognize.”
Buttafarro said these efforts are important so students get involved in government.
“Government affects us on every level of our life, from town boards up to the president of the United States,” said Buttafarro. “Your voice matters and your single vote could change the outcome of any given election. I want students to understand the process and to be able to get involved as much as they want to.”
Fisher agreed with Buttafarro and said it’s your civic duty to vote.
“Isn’t it such a good feeling after you vote, if it turns out the way you hoped, knowing that you were a small part of it?” said Fisher.
Buttafarro would like to remind students that the deadline to register to vote is Oct. 26, 2024.
kamrowes23@bonaventure.edu
