For most students at the College of the Holy Cross, the 2012 election is the first opportunity they’ll have to vote. And it’s an opportunity they’re taking very seriously.
Throughout the fall semester, many student groups have been actively engaged in the political process, holding voter registration and absentee ballot drives, organizing debate watching parties, and keeping up to date with political news. With just days until the election, they are busy planning additional events to keep the study body engaged, informed and excited to cast their first ballot in this year’s critically important and closely-contested presidential race.
Here’s what’s coming up:
Election Day
Tuesday, Nov. 6
Rides to the Polls
4 – 6 p.m.
Vans leave from Hogan 3
SGA will be providing rides to and from polling stations for registered students.
Election Night “10-Spot”
8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Crossroads
CAB’s Tuesday Night 10-Spot will feature extended hours; election-themed trivia from 8 – 10 p.m.; prizes, giveaways; and 10-Spot performances (10 p.m. – 12 a.m.). Election results will be projected on a big screen throughout the evening.
Monday, Nov. 12
Post-Election Analysis Panel: Reflections on the 2012 Elections
4 - 5 p.m.
Rehm Library
A tradition among American government faculty at Holy Cross, the political science department holds a post-election analysis panel every two years after major elections. This year’s panel will feature Donald Brand, professor and chair; Daniel Klinghard, associate professor; B. Jeffrey Reno, associate professor; Alison Mangiero, instructor; and Erik Filipiak, visiting assistant professor.
Faculty will offer insight into the demographic breakdown of the vote, looking particularly at women voters since they have been a major focus of the campaign; as well as the likely consequences of the election, especially implications for replacing Supreme Court nominations.
In addition to engaging in the political process through events on campus, faculty and students from a variety of disciplines have offered their commentary to local and national media outlets. Here’s some of what they said:
- Victor Matheson, associate professor of economics, commented on the economic impact of the republican and democratic national conventions in USA Today, the Associated Press, and the Wall Street Journal. More recently he provided insight to GoLocalWorcester.com on campaign spending by both the Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren campaigns in the Massachusetts race for U.S. Senator.
- Mathew Schmalz, associate professor of religious studies, wrote about the role of religion and the appearances by Cardinal Timothy Dolan at both political conventions in The Washington Post's On Faith blog.
- Donald Brand, professor of political science, appeared on New England Cable News before the third and final presidential debate, commented to the Telegram & Gazette about the role of young voters in this election, and discussed the closely contested Massachusetts Senate race with GoLocalWorcester.com. In addition, students from his “Presidential Selection” course (Bridget Schirripa '13, Joe Lepera '14 and Henry Callegary '14 ) served as political analysts on Worcester’s “Hank Stolz Experience” television program; others, who were gathered at his home to watch a debate, were pictured in the Telegram & Gazette.
- Neema Hakim '14 told the Telegram & Gazette about the efforts of Holy Cross students to hold voter registration drives throughout the fall semester.
- Jerry Lembcke, associate professor of sociology, wrote about Obama’s appeal for veterans’ votes on the History News Network.
- Alison Mangiero, an instructor in the political science department, commented on Mitt Romney’s viability as a presidential candidate in the Telegram & Gazette.
- Rev. Thomas Worcester, S.J., speculated on what St. Vincent de Paul would advocate for if he were alive today in our present political landscape. Explaining, in a Huffington Post article, that Vincent de Paul, who lived from 1581-1660, dedicated his life to improving the lives of others, Fr. Worcester stated that de Paul was “a relentless critic of the arrogance and avarice of the wealthy 1 percent of his time.”
