Bryer Haywood, Staff Writer
The 2026 midterm election is fast approaching. This year, all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election, as well as 35 U.S. Senate seats. The election comes amidst a backdrop of economic uncertainty and conflict in Iran.
VCU students are involving themselves in various ways by informing their peers about the election prior to the midterms.
VCU Votes is a student organization with a goal of educating students about voting and increasing voter turnout and registration, Roqia Ali, a fourth-year homeland security student and executive board member of VCU Votes, stated in an email.
“Through VCU Votes, students have been helping their peers register to vote, understand what’s on their ballot, and make a voting plan,” Ali stated. “We’ve been visiting classes with first-generation students and freshmen to get them engaged and give them a chance to ask questions.”
VCU Votes have also hosted a general body meeting and ice cream social to give students a chance to meet the team and get involved, according to Ali.
Kelsey Jones, VCU Votes student coalition advisor, said the organization has taken a two-part approach, including partnerships and media outreach and spreading awareness about the midterm election.
“Working with partners like VCU Athletics, VCU Dine, etc we have been able to grow our reach and get students excited about the idea of being civically engaged and using their voice at the polls,” Jones stated.
Franklin Gonzalez, logistics coordinator of VCU Votes, stated in an email that he feels it is important for students to understand who is representing them and what is happening politically on the state and federal level.
“From my perspective, voting is a privilege that many people throughout history have fought for and that not everyone around the world has,” Gonzalez stated.
Alex Keena, an associate professor of political science at VCU, stated in an email that he champions student involvement in elections. He stated that he notices greater student interest in national elections versus local elections.
“Given the huge role that money plays in shaping the discourse, the issue space, candidate selection, and responsiveness, voting remains one way that people without money can affect democracy,” Keena stated. “By voting in large numbers, young people make themselves heard and force politicians and political parties to listen to them in future elections and consider their preferences and needs.”
The NAACP at VCU hosted an event called “Know Your Ballot” with the goal of educating students about candidates and ballot measures for the upcoming midterm elections. According to Assata Lucas, the second vice president of the NAACP at VCU, the event was meant to educate students about candidates beyond knowing their names and party affiliations.
“We focused on identifying the office a candidate is seeking, understanding what that office actually has the power to do, and examining the candidate’s policy priorities and relevant experience,” Lucas stated in an email.
Lucas stated that event organizers emphasized reading and understanding the entire text of ballot referendums and constitutional amendments before voting yes or no.
Lucas noted that the event was nonpartisan and encouraged students to do their own research and make informed decisions.