Bowling Green Students Push for Preston Center as Polling Place to Enhance Voter Engagement

Bowling Green Students Advocate for Campus Polling Location

Bowling Green, KY – As Election Day approaches, it looks like students at Western Kentucky University (WKU) are not just preparing to vote but are actively taking steps to make the voting process easier for themselves and their peers. On September 11, a dedicated group of WKU students reached out to the local election board with a bold proposal: to convert the university’s Preston Center into a polling place.

The Proposal

WKU senior Donté Reed, who is also a member of the Student Government Association, shared how the initiative began. “We had student testimonies, student life, and different little subsections in the letter,” Reed explained. The effort involved breaking down roles among group members, with each person responsible for different sections of the proposal letter.

Among the students voicing their concerns was sophomore Caden Lucas, a member of the Pre-Law Association. Caden highlighted a significant issue: while there are polling locations near the campus, many students lack reliable transportation to access them. “The closest location on campus, in theory, is First Baptist Church, which is still a 40-minute walk round trip to go vote,” he explained. He added that nearby locations, like local schools, aren’t within walking distance and often require other forms of transportation that students might not have available.

Feeling Disconnected from Hometown Politics

Some students expressed that studying away from home has made them feel disconnected from their local politics. “Students at WKU are constantly learning what it means to be civically engaged through our programs and our exceptional university as a whole,” said Lucas. He emphasized that it’s essential for students to have the accessibility and availability to participate in these democratic processes, especially with such an important election on the horizon.

The Choice of the Preston Center

The group’s choice of the Preston Center for the polling location feels strategic. It’s an accessible and well-known space on campus that could encourage student participation. Emma Harris, a senior and member of the Campus Voting Committee, pointed out that student interest in accessing the voting process transcends party lines. “One of the most telling things is that the third and fourth organizations that signed on to this letter were both WKU College Democrats and WKU College Republicans,” she noted. “This shows that this isn’t just a one-issue concern; it’s about students in general wanting the chance to vote.”

Mobilizing Students Ahead of Election Day

If the local election board approves the Preston Center as a polling location, the students plan to organize and help their peers register to vote in the weeks leading up to the election. Reed said, “Just getting as many students out there to voice their opinion and to feel seen, feel heard. The only way to do that is to go out and voice your opinion through a vote.” He added that being able to vote gives students the power to effect change on both state and federal levels.

Next Steps If Vetoed

Should the local election board decline their proposal, the students are ready to take action and escalate their movement to the state election board. As of now, Election Day is set for Tuesday, November 5, 2024, and the students are steadfast in their mission to make voting accessible for everyone on campus.

As students continue to push for a polling space at the Preston Center, they’re not just advocating for convenience but also for increased civic engagement among young voters. This initiative highlights an essential part of democracy: ensuring that every voice has the opportunity to be heard.