The Overseas Vote Foundation released their latest newsletter not too long ago, and we wanted to share with you links to the content of said newsletter and encourage you to sign up here as it has excellent elections information and research.
Features and Articles in this issue include the following:
Happy reading!
By Mary Sorenson, Graduate Student and Instructor, Illinois State University
Housing many eligible voters in Normal, IL, Illinois State University (ISU) is taking strides to engage the student population in the local election that will take place next month.
Last Wednesday night, the university hosted the Local Municipal Election Forum, bringing three mayoral and six city council candidates to campus to discuss plans for the community. Hosted by the Student Government Association, College Democrats, College Republicans, the American Democracy Project, Heartland Community College, and the McLean County League of Women Voters, the event drew in a crowd of over 200 community members, inclusive of the student population.
To help encourage student participation, graduate students enrolled in a Pedagogy of Civic and Political Engagement course led and participated in a local tweet-up, asking audience members to share comments and questions throughout the forum. Using the hashtag #NormalElect, tweets during the event were displayed on a large screen in order to promote participation. In addition to handwritten questions, those asked through Twitter were also presented to, and asked by, the forum moderator. To start off the night, ISU graduate student Richard Green (@RadioRichG) tweeted, “Hey everyone in the audience…feel free to express your views, opinions, and questions here. #NormalElect.” Throughout the two-hour forum, over 25 users shared over 240 tweets with audience members and candidates.
Mayoral candidate JeVaugh Martin embraced the tweet-up and engaged his audience through his personal Twitter account throughout the forum. A first-year ISU student stated that he noticed Martin utilizing a mobile device before he noticed his Twitter handle appear on the big screen. Being new to politics, he said, “It made me feel like he really cared about who showed up to hear him speak about his community.” In addition to following the social media feed, Martin later tweeted, “#NormalElect more questions for Town of Normal candidate JeVaughn Martin? He will answer your questions RIGHT NOW!”
Throughout the forum, many students tweeted questions to candidates regarding how they would engage the student population if elected into office. Additionally, many users asked questions regarding candidate use of technology and social media to engage their community. Co-chair of ISU’s ADP, Steve Hunt (@skhunt2), tweeted, “#NormalElect what about using social media to listen to Normal citizens? Too much of the focus is on messaging.” This message was followed by ISU graduate student Mary Sorenson (@MarSorenson) quoting a candidate while adding personal input, “’Having the page is not enough…’ –so true! You must be active if you want to gain attention from the community #NormalElect.” Both tweets, along with many others, provide insight to candidates that not only should they be sending messages via social media but they should simultaneously listen to the messages from their audience.
Another ISU student (@mlawler82) excitedly tweeted, “THEY’RE ANSWERING MY QUESTION ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA!!!!! DOES THIS MEAN IM FAMOUS NOW?!? #normalelect.” Her tweet, complete with dramatic effect, showcased the positive impact that social media can have on political engagement, especially for the younger generation. This particular tweet sparked a conversation among many users who indicated similar positive feelings about having their questions become part of the forum’s conversation. Social media allow students (and other community members) to have a voice that may otherwise not be heard in the political world, on both the local and national stages.
Through local elections, institutions have the ability to connect their students to candidates within reach who can become more than a name on a lawn sign or bumper sticker. By encouraging students to participate in local politics and providing multiple mediums for communication, communities of voters both young and old have the opportunity to come together as a more unified voice. Newcomers to the political scene as well as veteran voters desire to see change for similar issues such as green initiatives, local business development, roads, and housing. The use of social media such as Twitter may enhance civic engagement for a variety of community members, 140 characters at a time.
Mary Sorenson, a communications graduate student and instructor at Illinois State University, who brought us this October 2012 blog post about the Tweet-Ups, has compiled a report of the ISU and national ADP 2012 Presidential Debate Watch Tweet-Ups (co-sponsored by ADP’s Political Engagement Project and eCitizenship initiatives).
The ADP Presidential Debate Series Tweet-UP report, which can be downloaded here, describes:
As we begin to plan for a 2013 State of the Union ADP national Tweet-up, we hope you’ll consider how to politically engage students using Twitter and other social media platforms.
Thank you, Mary!
From an IUSB Press Release:
ADP at IUSB Election 2012 Event Schedule (https://www.iusb.edu/news/?p=2691)
The American Democracy Project and Political Science Club of Indiana University South Bend and the League of Women Voters of the South Bend Area are moving ahead with the third bi-annual Second District Congressional Candidate Debate to be televised live on WNIT-TV on Sunday, October 28thfrom 6-7:30 p.m. Participants will include Democratic candidate Brendan Mullen and Libertarian candidate Joe Ruiz. Republican candidate Jackie Walorski has declined to participate.
In 2008, these same groups hosted a (WNIT) televised debate between Democratic candidate, Joe Donnelly, and Republican candidate Luke Puckett.
In 2010, they hosted candidates Joe Donnelly (D), Jackie Walorski (R), and Mark Vogel (L).
The Second District Congressional Candidate Debate is part of a larger Fall 2012 debate series hosted by the American Democracy Project and League of Women Voters, which features St. Joseph County candidates for the positions of surveyor, treasurer, recorder, probate judge, and commissioner.
The American Democracy Project and League of Women Voters of the South Bend Area have become well-known locally for hosting candidate debates in races of importance to local voters. For example, last fall (2011), the same organizations hosted debates for Mishawaka Mayor, South Bend Common Council, and South Bend Mayor. Recent candidates for the offices of sheriff, prosecutor, state legislator, and county council have also participated in the ADP/LWV debates. “We are at the stage now where both Republican and Democratic candidates have begun calling us to ask if we can host a debate for their political race,” said Elizabeth Bennion, who is the lead organizer for the events.
According to Dr. Bennion, a political science professor who serves as Campus Director of the American Democracy Project at Indiana University South Bend, the Second District debate has been in the planning stages since July.According to Bennion, the coalition always planned to move ahead with the debate once at least two candidates accepted. “Brendan Mullen and Joe Ruiz accepted our invitations quickly and enthusiastically. We have been waiting since July to receive a confirmation from the Walorski campaign.”
Bennion noted that she contacted Ms. Walorski, communications director Elizabeth Guyton, and campaign manager Brendon DelToro on Tuesday, September 11th to let them know that the sponsors planned to move ahead with the debate with or without Walorski. After receiving an email reply from Mr. DelToro stating that the campaign would be reviewing invitations on Saturday, September 15th, Bennion—still hoping for an affirmative response—promised that she would not confirm a final date until Monday (9/24/12). The Walorski campaign’s response came on Monday, September 24th, the same day the campaign issued a press release indicating that they had agreed to participate in a WSBT radio debate and a Wabash County Chamber of Commerce debate. (Details for these events are not yet finalized).
As a political science professor who studies and teaches about election campaigns, Bennion notes that there are many factors a campaign must consider when determining which invitations to accept. “I understand the many factors that a campaign manager considers when deciding which debate invitations and public appearances to accept. Ultimately, it is the right of the Walorski campaign to accept or reject any invitation. However, as Campus Director of the American Democracy Project, I am eager to give voters an opportunity to hear the candidates on their ballot and compare them side-by-side. The American Democracy Project and the League of Women Voters support engaged and informed citizenship. There is no better way for voters to quickly understand the differences between candidates than to hear the candidates answer issue-based questions in their own words in a face-to-face debate. Our record hosting a wide range of candidate forums reflects this belief and demonstrates our commitment to informed and engaged citizenship.” Bennion notes that the decision to partner with WNIT also reflect this philosophy by opening up the debates to people without cable TV or home Internet access.
Bennion stressed that she would be thrilled if Ms. Walorski decides that her schedule will, in fact, allow her to participate in the televised debate. “There is a podium waiting for her, if she is able to join us. We plan to host every two years with whichever candidates accept our invitation. This year’s debate would certainly be enriched by the participation of all three candidates.” “Jackie Walorski is the current front-runner in this race. Voters are eager to hear what she has to say. She is a strong campaigner and we welcome her participation in the debate.”
By Mary Sorenson, Graduate Student and Instructor, Illinois State University
Last Wednesday night, over 275 engaged ADP Twitter users (students, faculty members, institutions and organizations) brought the Presidential debate to life in the Twittersphere. Embedded within 1,391 short and sweet tweets with the #ADPdebate hashtag were thoughtful yet humorous messages that shed light on the 2012 election. Supporters of both Romney and Obama contributed to the conversation, creating a rich dialogue that enhanced the 90 minute live, televised debate on domestic policy.
University of Nebraska Omaha Debate Watch
While campuses across the country held viewing parties and encouraged the use of the hashtag, users were still able to contribute from a number of private locations. Even before news sources were discussing the “winner” of the debate, Twitter users were posing this very question and engaging in open discussion with one another.
In addition to the #ADPdebate hashtag, institutions such as Illinois State University, Emporia State University (Kans.), Indiana State University, Kennesaw State University (Ga.), University of Nebraska-Omaha, and Weber State University (Utah) linked students and faculty together with unique institution hashtags. A communication course at Indiana State University even used this function to connect students and engage in debate discussions while the course instructor acted as a moderator.
Various groups engaged in intellectual conversations inclusive of questions and commentary while continuing to embrace the lighthearted nature of the social medium. Humorous tweets brought users together as they were able to share jokes about Big Bird, Jim Lehrer, and the 2-minute rule…just to name a few. In the midst of critique, disagreement, and questioning, users across the nation were able to find common ground in 140 characters or less.
With the increased popularity of social media, college instructors are now able to communicate with students outside of the
Illinois State University Debate Watch
classroom in order to extend academic conversations. With regard to civic engagement, Twitter has the ability to provide students with a voice that otherwise may not be heard within the confines of the classroom. This project allows students to become politically engaged on a familiar forum, providing them with a wealth of knowledge and opinions that may help shape informed decisions for the upcoming election.
Many students in the millennial generation utilize social media as a way to research and stay informed not only with popular culture but also local and national news. By harnessing social media and using them as an educational resource, instructors can take the opportunity to change the question from if social media are being used in the classroom to how they are being used.
As the debate series continues, the American Democracy Project will continue the live Tweet-ups and encourage even more users to join the conversation. As Thursday night approaches and Paul Ryan joins Joe Biden for the Vice-Presidential Debate, #ADPdebate will engage users in discussion that becomes more than merely a public commentary. While showcasing bipartisan respect, users across the nation will move closer to Election Day, one tweet at a time.
VP Debate: Thurs. October 11 at 9PM Eastern
Join ADP as we Tweet-up the Vice Presidential Debate this Thursday, October 11 from 9 – 10:30 PM Eastern Time. The VP Debate is being hosted by Centre College in Danville, Kentucky and is on foreign and domestic policy. Martha Raddatz, ABC News’ Cheif Foreign Correspondent will moderate. The debate will be divided into 9 segments of approximately 10 minutes each.
TV Channels – Each debate will be broadcast live on C-SPAN, ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC, as well as all cable news channels including CNN, Fox News and MSNBC among others.
Live Stream – Each debate will be streamed live online. Check back here for the live stream: http://www.2012presidentialelectionnews.com/2012-debate-schedule/2012-presidential-debate-schedule/
View previous post with more details about joining the #ADPdebate Twitter conversations, go here.
Learn more about Twitter and the first Presidential Debate — which was the most Tweeted about political event in U.S. history — here.
By Jen Domagal-Goldman, National Manager, American Democracy Project
As part of ADP’s eCitizenship (http://www.aascu.org/programs/adp/eCitizenship/) and Political Engagement Project (http://www.aascu.org/programs/adp/PEP/) Initiatives, the American Democracy Project is planning a multi-campus dialogue (Tweet-up) during the first presidential debate this Wednesday, October 3; the debate – on domestic policy issues – will be televised and begins at 9:00 PM Eastern.
Along with watching the debate, we encourage students and faculty to engage in a discussion about it – and the domestic policy issues most affecting higher education – using Twitter.
It only takes a few minutes for most students to learn to use Twitter; however, it helps to have students register on https://twitter.com in case their identities need to be confirmed along with a few practice tweets before the debate starts.
We will use the hashtag #ADPdebate. ADP’s Twitter handle is: @ADPaascu.
As ADP is non-partisan and interested in preparing the next generation of informed, engaged citizens, we hope many of you will join us and encourage your students to do so as well – we want to encourage more students to engage in the electoral process and are not looking for a partisan battle, but for a supportive, interesting, and analytical conversation that encourages civic and political engagement.
Also, check out the Debate Series Learning Activity Mary Sorenson, a second-year graduate student and instructor at Illinois State University created for students taking a required communications class: “Communication as Critical Inquiry.”
About the Debate:
The first in the series of Presidential debates between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney will be happening tonight at 9pm et, 6pm pt from the University of Denver in Colorado. The debate will be 90 minutes long with a focus on domestic issues. We will have the live stream embedded so you can watch the debate right here on this page.
Air Time: Wednesday, October 3, 2012 @ 9pm et / 8pm ct / 7pm mt / 6pm pt
Channels: ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and more including CNN Espanol and others
Live-streamed here: http://www.2012presidentialelectionnews.com/2012/10/first-presidential-debate-tonight-from-the-university-of-denver/
Moderator: Jim Lehrer (Host of NewsHour on PBS)
The debate will focus on domestic policy and be divided into six time segments of approximately 15 minutes each on topics to be selected by the moderator and announced several weeks before the debate.
The moderator will open each segment with a question, after which each candidate will have two minutes to respond. The moderator will use the balance of the time in the segment for a discussion of the topic.
Helpful links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
YouTube on how to sign up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YGp4cWdndc
Commission on Debates (info. on the upcoming debates): http://www.2012presidentialelectionnews.com/2012-debate-schedule/2012-presidential-debate-schedule/
If there is interest, we will repeat this process for the other upcoming debates.
Yesterday, September 25, 2012 was the first ever National Voter Registration Day (NVRD) in the U.S. ADP was proud to partner with NVRD and excited that 14 ADP campuses officially partnered with NVRD to register new voters! Many other campuses are sponsoring on-going voter registration efforts. Get out the vote! You’ll find more voting resources here: http://www.aascu.org/programs/ADP/resources/voting/
National Voter Registration Day | http://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/
In 2008, 6 million Americans didn’t vote because they missed a registration deadline or didn’t know how to register. In 2012, we want to make sure no one is left out.
On September 25, 2012, volunteers, celebrities, and organizations from all over the country will “hit the streets” for National Voter Registration Day. This single day of coordinated field, technology and media efforts will create pervasive awareness of voter registration opportunities–allowing us to reach tens of thousands of voters or more who we could not reach otherwise.
What It Means
• Volunteers at transportation hubs, retail stores, sporting, and concerts.
• Technology to help eligible voters find registration drives nearby.
• A network of grassroots, local organizations engaged in their own communities.
• Tens of thousands of voters registering to vote online and offline in a single day.
What It Will Accomplish
• Register Voters: A network of a thousand organizations operating on the ground and through social media will register tens of thousands of voters in the field and tens of thousands more online–while also receiving pledges to vote from the already registered.
• Mobilize Volunteers: By engaging nonprofits not usually engaged in voter registration drives and amplifying existing drives through event-based recruitment and cultural outreach, National Voter Registration Day will bring thousands of additional volunteer voter registrars into the field just when we need them most.
• Educate Eligible Voters: Millions of voters need to register and re-register every year. By utilizing new technology and leveraging cultural partners, we’ll educate more Americans than ever before, bringing new voters into the fold.
• Change the Conversation: National Voter Registration Day will be an opportunity to put our differences aside and celebrate the rights that unite us as Americans.
National Voter Registration Day has been made possible in part by a working group of organizations providing coordination and support. These organizations include, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance Education Fund, Bus Federation Civic Fund, Fair Elections Legal Network, League of Women Voters, Nonprofit Vote, and Voto Latino.
ADP Campuses Participating in the 1st National Voter Registration Day (according to the NVRD website):
By Gregg Kaufman, ADP Campus Coordinator, Georgia College
Georgia College is located adjacent to Milledgeville’s downtown district. The campus has a spacious “front campus” lawn with mature hardwood trees and a row of historic brick buildings that date back one hundred years and more. In 2008, ADP and Georgia College’s Rhetoric Department co-sponsored a series of debate watches.
We invited citizens to join students, faculty, and staff and bring lawn chairs, snacks, and blankets to watch the first presidential debate on a large screen accompanied by exterior speakers in a quasi-drive-in movie setting. Approximately 150 people attended the event and some remained for a debate debriefing session. Subsequent debate watch events were held in the campus library’s coffee shop.
As the semester begins on many ADP campuses and election-related planning commences, what do you have in mind to engage students in the presidential election and ongoing political engagement?
Please share your plans for voting registration, debate watch, and other events in this quick online survey.
Results will be shared with all ADP Campus Coordinators!
You’ll also find resources related to Elections & Voting here.
The Republican National Convention began yesterday in Tampa, FL and the Democratic National Convention is coming up next week. You can read updates from both conventions by four undergraduate students at California University of Pennsylvania (Cal U), an American Democracy Project school, who are participating in the conventions through The Washington Center.
Cal U’s American Democracy Project, with the support of the Office of the President and generous friends of the university, is able to provide a unique learning experience for nine Cal U students. All are campus and community activists, so it was natural for them to vie for the convention spots.
Here’s Cal U’s convention blog. Four of the nine students will be sharing convention stories with the university community. In 2008, Cal U’s convention blog had 15,000 hits, which made it a given to ask several students to share their experiences in Tampa and Charlotte. All nine will be headlining Constitution Day and participating in ADP election-year activities.
Nine Cal U students will witness democracy in action at the 2012 national political conventions. Through The Washington Center, they will be placed in volunteer fieldwork positions where they can learn more about a major political party, its convention or host committee, or the media covering the events.
Four of those students will send regular dispatches during their experience. Follow them here:
Republican National Convention
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 My name is Lucie Fremeau, and I’m from Hidden Valley, Pa. I’m majoring in communication studies with a concentration in public relations and a minor in political science. I’m passionate about journalism and public relations, so I love my job as the student journalist for Cal U’s Internship Center and enjoy being the PR officer for Cal U’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America. Social media, writing, editing, communications and politics are my forte!
Read Lucie’s convention reports
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 My name is Emily Martik, and I’m a senior journalism major at Cal U. I am a native of California, Pa., where I’ve volunteered in local election campaigns and participated in mock election debates. Since beginning my college career I’ve joined the Cal U chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, briefly worked with the College Democrats, and volunteered my time for various community service projects.
Read Emily’s convention reports
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Democratic National Convention
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 I’m Camilla Cionni from Follansbee W.Va., in the northern panhandle of the state. My passion for politics began when I was 8 years old watching C-SPAN, and it has only grown. I am an undergraduate seeking a B.A. in political science, with a minor in sociology. I’m the President of College Democrats and Cal Campaign Consultants, as well as a core team member for Organizing for America in the reelection of Barack Obama 2012.
Read Camilla’s convention reports
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 My name is Breanna Blose, and my hometown is DuBois, Pa. I’m a senior international business major with a minor in political science. I’m currently the vice president of Cal Campaign Consultants and the treasurer of the University’s College Democrats chapter.
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The following are excerpts from a recent story about WKU’s PEP efforts on SurfKY.com:
“What’s Your Tag?” is the theme for this fall’s Political Engagement Project activities at Western Kentucky University. Students and others can use @WhatsUrTag and #whatsurtag and to join the Twitter conversation as they follow activities related to the 2012 election.
“We want to connect with this media savvy and social network savvy generation of students,” said Dr. Saundra Ardrey, head of WKU’s Department of Political Science and coordinator of the Political Engagement Project. “What’s Your Tag used to be used by graffiti artists so it has an edgy, subculture meaning that students may not know about. Students know about tagging through social media and Twitter.”
WKU’s freshman class will get the first look at “WhatsUrTag?” activities Thursday evening (Aug. 23) as part of M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan activities. The presentation – “Class of 2016: What’s Your Message for America” – will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Valley on WKU’s campus. The kickoff event will include music, information from political parties, tie-dye T-shirts and more.
WKU students and faculty also will attend the upcoming Republican and Democratic conventions.
Dr. Scott Lasley, associate professor of political science, and five students – Elizabeth Abbott of Vevay, Ind.; Lauren Cherry and Lindsey Conder, both of Louisville; Benjamin Lee of Russell Springs; and Adam Rumohr of Owensboro – will attend the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., Aug. 27-31. Dr. Ardrey and student Chelsea Cornett of Bowling Green will attend the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 3-6.
Other “WhatsUrTag” activities scheduled this semester include the following:
*Constitution Week activities Sept. 17-21, which will include a “WhatsUrTag?” workshop on the role of graphic and visual art in popular culture.
*National Voter Registration Day on Sept. 25, which will include Rock the Vote, voter registration, information from candidates, music, entertainment and more.
*A visit to the National Constitution Museum in Philadelphia on Oct. 4-7.
*Vice Presidential Debate at Centre College in Danville on Oct. 11.
*Debate Watch activities on WKU’s campus on Oct. 16.
*Freedom Sings, a musical and multimedia presentation about the First Amendment, at 6 p.m. Oct. 22 at Van Meter Hall.
*A Life in Politics: John Rowley, a presentation by the WKU graduate and partner in Fletcher Rowley Consulting Firm on Nov. 5.
*Kentucky Engagement Conference, a statewide meeting on community engagement, service learning, civic health, community-based research, and related topics, on Nov. 8-9 at WKU’s Knicely Conference Center.
