Paws to the Polls (PTTP), a nonpartisan voter education initiative at Missouri State University, continued its efforts to educate and enable voters during a busy February and March.

The group engaged in voter registration and education efforts as well advocacy for laws that expand voter access.

“Paws to the Polls is deeply invested in increasing voter access and promoting civic engagement,” said Dr. Suzanne Walker-Pacheco, professor of anthropology in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology.

PTTP supports three Missouri House bills

Walker-Pacheco cited the group’s Feb. 14 trip to the Missouri State Capitol as one example of their efforts.

This was PTTP’s fourth trip, she explained, during which the group met with 10 legislators and was recognized by Missouri District 132 Representative Crystal Quade on the House floor.

“The purpose of this trip was to advocate for three House bills that would expand voter access,” Walker-Pacheco explained.

HB 1927 would restore access to voting for those currently on probation and parole, after they have served their time. HB 2379 would allow restoring of university IDs as valid for voting, as they were until a Missouri House bill prohibiting their use was signed into law in 2022. HB 2510 would create provisions for automatic voter registration for U.S. citizens in Missouri through information via the DMV, increasing the number of registered voters and make voting more accessible.

Voter registration and education efforts

Paws to the Polls continued its efforts locally to expand voter access and awareness through registration efforts.

The group was invited to conduct voter registration alongside an NAACP/Alpha Phi Alpha (Sigma Nu Chapter) Town Hall Panel on Feb. 23, 2024.

For the third semester in a row, PTTP partnered with the League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri Feb. 20-26 to conduct voter registration events at Hillcrest, Kickapoo, Central and Glendale high schools.

In December, members of PTTP were invited to serve on a panel for “Becoming an Informed and Active Citizen” for the Leadership Springfield Academy at the CASA Headquarters.

PTTP member Zion Riffe-Stevens encourages student involvement

PTTP member Zion Riffe-Stevens said his experience with civic engagement and his perspective changed when he became old enough to vote.

Riffe-Stevens, who has been involved with PTTP for two years as a graduate assistant in the Department of Political Science and Philosophy, is pursuing a master’s in public administration.

Students should care about voting for several reasons, Riffe-Stevens said.

“Voting, especially at the local level, affects everything from the roads you drive on to the air we breathe. It is crucial to vote not only in presidential elections, but state and local elections as well,” he explained.

PTTP’s mission is to encourage student engagement and provide voter information so students can make informed decisions about their elected leaders and potential policies.

“We expand access to student voting, attend trips to the capitol, educate students, attend community events, network and much more,” Riffe-Stevens said.

Although only MSU students can be voting members of PTTP, anyone can volunteer with PTTP and join the cause, he noted.

Still, Riffe-Stevens admits getting students to care about voting can be a challenge.

“Look, I get it, voting and government can be extremely boring,” he explained. “But the reality is, voting can fundamentally change the course of our lives, so it’s extremely important to know what is going on with regards to ballot issues.”

“Not everyone is super into voting, but after they meet with us, they change their minds I assure you,” he added.

The trend shifts a bit during presidential and mid-term elections, Riffe-Stevens said.

“Turnout is definitely more drastic during presidential or midterm elections,” he said. “In municipal elections, when the mayor is up for election there is usually about a 3-4% jump in turnout, but that usually only draws out about 17% of voters, unfortunately.”

Among the more rewarding PTTP activities for Riffe-Stevens are hosting voting awareness week and educational forums for high school students. He also noted that PTTP has given him valuable practical career experience, including networking.

“I have made so many connections, while learning how to run a quasi-nonprofit organization on campus,” Riffe-Stevens said.

His favorite activities, though, have been the trips to advocate for voting legislation.

“Engaging with lawmakers makes the biggest difference and reminds them that we are watching, so they better support voting legislation, or they will be hearing from us,” Riffe-Stevens said.

“We seek to promote a more engaged and educated community/electorate. We are non-partisan, so we don’t care how you vote, just that you vote!”

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