Redefining Voting Access for Pace Students
On April 2, for the first time, Pace students had the opportunity to cast their votes directly on campus. Thanks to the diligent efforts of student leaders and organizations like the Center for Community Action and Research (CCAR), the Student Centers at One Pace Plaza in NYC and Willcox Hall in Pleasantville will serve as designated polling places for the New York Presidential Primary. This development marks a significant milestone in enhancing voter accessibility and engagement among college students.
CCAR student leaders, supported by the Andrew Goodman Foundation, have tirelessly advocated for this change to address the challenges faced by residential student voters. Despite high voter turnout rates among Pace students, logistical hurdles such as split polling places have hindered full participation. Now, with the establishment of on-campus polling sites, students can easily exercise their voting rights without the hassle of navigating multiple locations.
Annual Volunteer Day, New York City Campus
CCAR’s annual Volunteer Day at Earth Matter on Governor’s Island, funded by the Dyson Dean’s Initiatives, had incredible student participation. CCAR and Earth Matter are long-time collaborators with Pace students, frequently volunteering and interning with Earth Matter’s composting team. Fifteen students joined the April event where they participated in Earth Matter’s composting process—sorting compostable goods, feeding chickens, assessing processed compost, and bagging compost for distribution to community gardens. Students also engaged in a dialogue facilitated by CCAR and Earth Matter staff about the state of composting in New York City and the accessibility of composting.
Bringing the Community to Pleasantville Campus
Pleasantville once again hosted Meet the Candidates, where those running for local office could interact and answer questions from the community. In ongoing support of nonpartisan voter education and engagement, CCAR partnered with the New York City and Westchester Board of Elections to establish on-campus polling sites both in, respectively, New York City and Pleasantville this year.
