Missouri State University’s Paws to the Polls (PTTP) hit the Fall 2023 semester running.

The campus voter initiative has already participated in several events around campus and the community to aid in voter education and registration.

PTTP partnered with the League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri on Aug. 3 to present “The Power of Your Vote” to the Youth Civic Leadership Institute for high school seniors in Springfield.

The session’s objective was to explore how and why civic participation and voting advocacy is vital to the function and sustainability of democracy.

On Aug. 20, during MSU’s “Welcome Weekend” activities, PTTP registered 17 students to vote during the “Belong-B-Q” event.

PTTP was invited to participate in the “Exploring Public Relations” event Aug. 24. Sponsored by the Student Activities Council, the event allows student organizations involved with public affairs to promote their causes to the university community. PTTP registered four voters at the event.

On Sept. 4, PTTP participated in Springfield-area Labor Day celebrations at Fassnight Park with a booth, registering five new voters. This was the second time PTTP was invited to participate in Labor Day festivities.

MSU’s 2023 Homecoming was not only an opportunity to “tailgate” but also to register voters. For the second year in a row, graduate members of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity joined PTTP during the festivities on Oct. 21 to educate, answer questions and provide assistance with the voter registration process.

Voter Awareness Week a big success

PTTP activities ramped up considerably with Voter Awareness Week, which was held Oct. 16-19.

The theme for the event was the importance of local government.

Activities included two days of tabling where students could register to vote or get information or clarification regarding the next elections.

PTTP also gave a presentation at the Multicultural Resource Center.

“Engagement of the campus community with the community at large is an important goal of Paws to the Polls, and Voter Awareness Week 2023 is bringing us closer to that goal,” said Dr. Suzanne Walker-Pacheco, PTTP’s faculty coordinator.

Voting Fair registers several new voters

PTTP’s main event for Voter Awareness Week was the Voting Fair, held Oct. 18. The event featured a meet-and-greet session during which 14 local and state elected officials informed students about their role in government.

“The elected officials enjoyed talking with the students, who were able to go home that day and report, ‘I met the mayor today!'” Walker-Pacheco said.

Personnel from MSU’s Office of Public Affairs Support and Multicultural Resource Center were on hand to talk with students, as were several student organizations, including the Student Activities Council, Student Government Association and Students for a Sustainable Future.

During the Voting Fair, the Greene County Clerk brought voting machines for students to try out, demonstrating what students could expect when they vote for the first time.

Approximately 300 people participated in the Voting Fair, according to Walker-Pacheco. Over 50 people were registered to vote during the fair, and approximately 20 more registered during the week’s activities.

Future plans

PTTP’s goals for the year include improving outreach, providing more student education and coordinating multi-campus activities with OTC and Drury.

As students prepare for the upcoming 2024 legislative session, PTTP also hopes to bring awareness about the importance of student engagement in the political process.

News submitted by W. Paul Bohlen and Suzanne Walker-Pacheco, edited by Reynolds College. Photos by Suzanne Walker-Pacheco.