Members of Missouri State University’s Paws to the Polls (PTTP) organization spent the Fall 2024 semester in a whirlwind of activity, concluding with the 2024 presidential election.

The group oversaw a variety of outreach events dedicated to providing voting information and encouraging registration. They kept pace throughout the fall semester, attending conferences and fairs, giving talks and distributing information.

Civic engagement creates learning opportunities

In August, PTTP worked with the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and the local chapter of the League of Women Voters to present at the city’s Youth Civic Leadership Institute.

At the event, PTTP president Grace Wasson and vice president Amanda Gott ran a panel discussion and oversaw a voter simulation activity for high school students.

During September, PTTP continued its high school student voter information activities, collaborating again with the League of Women Voters. They held a voter registration information event for area high schools and registered 22 voters.

Also that month, the group coordinated a voter registration drive with the Springfield NAACP and the League of Women Voters at Springfield’s historic Washington Avenue Church.

For Gott and Wasson, working with the local community proved to be an invaluable learning experience.

“I found out very quickly that we not only register voters, but we [also] provide people with information on the voting process, upcoming elections, non-partisan resources for staying informed and much more,” Gott said. “I saw it as an opportunity to learn about voting and Missouri legislation, as well as an opportunity for engaging with my peers, my campus and my community.”

Gott, a sophomore double majoring in anthropology and modern language, joined PTTP in fall 2023.

Wasson had a similar reaction when first encountering PTTP. She joined the organization in fall 2022.

“I care deeply about local issues and civic engagement,” said Wasson, a sophomore political science major. “Paws felt like the perfect way to get involved and meet incredible, passionate people.”

“Tabling” a gratifying experience

One of PTTP’s more interesting activities is “tabling,” where members enjoy the chance to meet people, distribute information and answer questions.

“I absolutely love tabling,” said Gott. “We table on and off campus at various community events and at high schools, and it is always very gratifying.”

Not only did tabling allow PTTP members to interact with others, it also revealed to them the extent of local organizational efforts.

“Paws to the Polls has become a more recognized name, which has opened the door for us to partner with more amazing organizations than ever before,” Wasson noted. “Especially while tabling in the community, I have realized the sheer amount of local organizing happening in Springfield.”

Engaging with peers

For both Wasson and Gott, the real tests to their “Paws” commitments came with coordinating the group’s fall campus activities.

In August, PTTP jumped in by participating in Welcome Week activities such as the Belong-B-Q. They registered 18 voters at that event.

PTTP also participated in the fall showcase, gave a voter information presentation to the Residence Hall Association’s general assembly, and distributed voter information pamphlets to nearly all of the 2,300 students enrolled in General Education Program (GEP) and University Honors (UHC) courses.

Throughout the semester, PTTP gave presentations, set up voter registration services and spoke to groups like the MSU orchestra and pharmacy students at Brick City.

Like her campus peers, Gott has benefited from PTTP’s information about voting processes.

“Our voter information pamphlets and the in-person panels we do with candidates have helped me stay informed and be ready on election day,” she explained. “I’ve learned a lot of voter-ready tips that have helped me, such as making a ‘cheat sheet’ to take with me to the polls.”

Voter Awareness Week

PTTP’s busiest moments occur during its voter education and awareness week. The Fall 2024 event included a Voting Fair, co-sponsored by the Student Government Association (SGA), the Student Activities Council and the Office of Public Affairs Support.

For the event, PTTP worked with SGA to develop the theme “Conversations with Candidates.” Twelve Missouri candidates running for office in 2024 participated.

“Getting to talk to candidates and hear their answers to questions in real time is really helpful for me,” Gott said.

The group also managed informational tables on out-of-state and absentee voting, ballot measures for the November election, and other voting-related information. In addition, Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller brought a voting machine so students could familiarize themselves with the act of voting.

PTTP registered approximately 200 students during the event.

“During voter awareness week we table on campus every day to register students and provide them with information about upcoming elections,” Gott explained. “It is great to talk with my peers and answer their questions and concerns.”

Wasson said she was most proud of her work during voter awareness week. In particular, she wants to raise the level of student interest in voting.

“I loved getting to connect candidates and organizations directly with students,” she said. “The voter turnout for young people tends to be low, and I want that to change.”

Career readiness an immediate benefit

Both Gott and Wasson noted how Paws to the Polls boosts its members’ career readiness.

“We have a variety of people with different majors in our group,” Gott said. “It seems Paws is really helpful for any of them. We have political science majors who get to communicate with local politicians [and] art and photography majors who help us with creating things for social media and designs for merchandise.”

Wasson described how PTTP has made her stronger both in her career goals and as an individual.

“Paws has been invaluable in preparing me for my future career,” she noted. “Not only have I learned so much more about civic engagement, but I also learned how to be a better version of myself.”

“Paws got me out of my comfort zone,” Wasson continued. “I learned how to speak in front of a crowd, manage a team and so much more. It’s helped me make connections on and off campus that have been vital to my college experience.”

“Sometimes, you have to learn by doing. Paws to the Polls has given me that hands-on experience.”

Making a difference

Likewise, both Gott and Wasson believe PTTP gives them the opportunity to make a difference in the world.

“Being in Paws has helped me gain connections to people and organizations in my community,” Gott said. “I get to make a positive change and feel a greater sense of community and belonging.”

“Many of the people I’ve worked with and met through Paws are helping me figure out what path to take and what some possible future careers are,” she continued. “I get to see the things that people are doing to make Springfield better and how they are doing it, and it is giving me ideas of how I can do that, too, in my future with my career path.”

Wasson said she, too, has realized she can make a difference through her involvement with PTTP.

“It taught me that if you want to make a difference in your city, there are other people who are always ready and willing to help make that happen,” she said.

“Sometimes, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or hopeless. Getting involved with activities for Paws shows me that one person can make a difference. But our collective [effort] is what is most impactful.”

Visit Paws to the Polls

Photos provided by Suzanne Walker-Pacheco.