With the national Elections Day on the horizon, students gathered in the John Garrick Hardy Student Center Oct. 29, ready to take their civic duties into their own hands.
The “Student Voter 101 Training” session, hosted by the university’s NAACP chapter and the Legal Defense Fund, offered students not only a roadmap to the polls but also a powerful reminder of the impact their votes can have.
With over 75 students in attendance, the event drew praise from participants eager to learn about their civic duties.
“Today’s event was really good, I learned a lot, and you know, knowledge is power,” said Brooke Surles, a freshman psychology major. “I can definitely say all my questions about voting were answered tonight.” Surles, active in the “Do the Vote Thing” initiative, added, “It’s important for our generation to vote, especially as Black people.”
The training emphasized the significance of young voters’ roles in upcoming elections.
Tyrin Moorer, president of the university’s branch of the NAACP and a senior finance major, expressed his gratitude for the support shown to the university’s campus efforts.
“I’m so thankful for today and this event,” Moorer said. “First off, thank you to Uruj and the Legal Defense Fund for recognizing the work of Alabama State University.” Moorer highlighted the importance of informed student participation, adding, “It’s just great that we’ve invested in teaching our students about their responsibilities as well as democracy. We know that if we do not do our part, we will no longer see a democracy.”
Moorer further underscored the need for ongoing activism and participation beyond just Election Day.
“This is not just a 2024 thing. This is not a DEI thing. This is not a Kamala Harris is the candidate thing. This is not because abortion is on the ballot thing,” he said. “This is something we have to be doing all throughout our lives. We have a Black job to do. Our Black job is to vote. And after this election, it’s our Black job to advocate and still educate and make sure that the officials we put into office do what we need them to do.”
Uruj Sheikh, a Legal Defense Fund attorney and Equal Justice Works Fellow, brought her expertise to the event to help students navigate the voting process.
“It’s important to me that students have all the information they need to vote and that they know that their vote really matters,” Sheikh said. “I hope that we were able to accomplish that today. I also want to make myself available as a resource if people need one-on-one support. I know that voting is complicated, and everyone has their own scenario.”
Sheikh’s message echoed the event’s theme of empowerment for young voters.
“My overall goal was to just make sure that everyone knows that they have power, especially Gen Z and millennials,” Sheikh said. “We make up at least half of the voters, so our voice can really make a difference.”
Reflecting on the event’s success, sophomore accounting major Jada Whitfield expressed hope that her peers gained confidence to cast their ballots.
“I’m glad this event turned out as well as it did,” Whitfield said. “I hope everyone who attended learned something new and became more confident in voting. It is our job, our Black job, to go out and vote. Voting ensures our voices are heard.”
Commenting on the power of youth activism, Moorer emphasized the crucial role young people play in driving change.
“When young people stand up, the world takes notice. Young people have been at the forefront of the movement since the beginning,” Moorer said. “There is no movement without young people and young people, you have to get off the phone and get in the field. This is not a moment, this is a movement!”
