August 18, 2012 | SharkAdmin In an effort to encourage students to vote, NVC is participating in the mayor’s SA2020 initiative, dubbed SA Votes, which comprises local colleges aiming to improve voter turnout on its campuses. In addition to NVC, other participating schools include UTSA, St. Mary’s, UIW, Trinity, SAC, and Texas A&M San Antonio. The group is working with Texas Votes, a statewide coalition schools working to get voter registration and turnout efforts to students. “Presidential elections are exciting and we want to encourage our students to have a voice,” said Mary Dixson, Ph.D., dean of NVC Interdisciplinary Studies. “Voting is the first and easiest step in that process, but you can’t vote if you aren’t registered. NVC is committed to helping students take that first step with campus voter registration drives.” Voter turnout is lower among 18-29 year olds versus seniors, though youth voters outnumber seniors. Additionally, Hispanic voters have one of the lowest rates of voter registration and turnout at the polls but are the fastest growing demographic. According to research, registration is sometimes a larger hurdle than the act of voting itself. To overcome these hurdles, SA Votes’ participants are encouraging employees and students to become deputy voter registrars by attending a short training at the Bexar County Election Commission Headquarters, the Warehouse Building at 1381 N. Brazos, 78207. By doing this, new registrars can help register voters. At NVC, there will also be voter registration activities through Oct. 9 and the NVC Faculty Development Facebook page also will have voter information. “We want to encourage our students, faculty and staff to be responsible, active citizens participating in the great works of democracy,” said Migdalia Garcia, coordinator of Service Learning. Deputization trainings are offered on the following dates and times: August 14th (10AM)August 25th (10AM)August 28th (6PM)September 5th (10AM)September 8th (10AM)September11th (10AM)
