They came for the gator-themed bounce house and free pizza, but over 1,000 people left Plaza of the Americas registered to vote.
The Voter Registration Carnival, held from Wednesday through Friday on the Plaza of the Americas, was hosted by Gators for Underrepresented Voters, a student-run organization that aims to bring more college-age voters to the polls, and NextGen Florida, a progressive political organization. The carnival cost under $1,000, said NextGen Youth organizer Gracey Jean-Bernard.
Those who came got information about the primary election, which ends Tuesday, could register to vote and got to eat free pizza.
Jean-Bernard, 23, aims to make it easier for young people on college campuses to vote.
“The goal is to make sure that our voices are being heard. That young people are actually exercising their right to vote,”Jean-Bernard, a UF political science graduate said.
It’s important to update your voter registration every time you move, especially for freshmen who have recently moved to Gainesville, she said.
The event was hosted during the first week of school because it’s when students, especially freshmen, are new to the Gainesville community.
“We want to incorporate voting into it,” Jean-Bernard said. “They are moving away from home and gaining some civil independence.”
Dionna Shine, an 18-year-old UF pharmacy freshman, said she recognized the importance of voting following the mass shooting that killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School more than 6 months ago.
“My school (Darnell Cookman Middle/High School) went up to Washington. We marched,” Shine said. “I feel like being politically acclimated to this environment is really important for me.”
Shine attended the carnival and said it was easy to register to vote there, and she encouraged her peers to do the same.
“If you don’t register to vote, … you can’t really be upset when something doesn’t fit into what you believe,” Shine said. “Voting is that way that we voice our personal beliefs.”
Bob Graham Center for Public Service student fellows Priya Amilineni (right) and Dalia Figueredo (center) register a student to vote during the July 19 voter registration event in coordination with the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections.
