Reynolds College Blog

Spring semester keeps Paws to the Polls busy

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The fall election season may be over, but that doesn’t mean Paws to the Polls (PTTP) slows down. Missouri State University’s student civics organization continued its education and outreach activities throughout the Spring 2025 semester.

Yellow and red image of clownAfter enjoying a team building activity of “Kahoot” trivia in late January, the group got back to work in February, said Dr. Suzanne Walker-Pacheco, professor in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology and PTTP’s faculty advisor.

First, PTTP members attended a Grupo Latinoamericano information meeting on Feb. 15, where they provided voter information. Later that month, seven members visited four local high schools to continue their voter registration drive. PTTP partners on this event every semester with the League of Women Voters.

Also in February, the group updated its five-year report and sponsored its first Paws to the Polls sticker contest. Students submitted artwork for stickers that Paws members could give away during events.

“The sticker contest was designed to engage students and to encourage voting by giving away stickers at our events,” Walker-Pacheco said.

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Paws to the Polls wraps up successful 2024

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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.”

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Paws to the Polls continues busy spring

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Missouri State University’s Paws to the Polls (PTTP) organization has stayed busy with its voter education and engagement activities, as the election year has seen an increase in campaigns and voter interest.

Campus voter fair a big success

On Feb. 15, PTTP welcomed Representative Melanie Stinnett (R) of District 133 to meet with them on campus. The group discussed voting access and how legislators can work together across the aisle in Jefferson City.

The meeting was a precursor to PTTP’s voting fair, which it hosted on the Missouri State campus March 5 to bring attention to the April municipal election.

Over 400 students and 16 campus offices and organizations participated in the fair to demonstrate how they engage with the campus and the larger community.

Food, fun and voting facts

Young man standing with two mascots
Student Government Association cabinet member Jace Rather with Big Dill and Bill. Photo credit: Oliver Hart.

Joining the fair were the League of Women Voters, the Informed Voter Coalition and Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller.

The League and the County Clerk’s office registered students to vote and answered voting-related questions.

Schoeller and his team also brought voting equipment so students could use the machines and become acquainted with the voting process.

Along with providing important voter information, PTTP ensured there was plenty of food and fun for participants.

Pickleman’s Gourmet Café provided free cookies, while PTTP provided pizza. Meanwhile, participants enjoyed a photo booth where they could get their pictures taken with Boomer the Bear, Schoolhouse Rock’s Bill and Pickleman’s Big Dill.

Attendees also played voting and trivia games for prizes and decorated their PTTP shirts at a tie-dye booth.

PTTP will host another voter fair in October ahead of the 2024 general election. [Read more…] about Paws to the Polls continues busy spring

Paws to the Polls continues voter education efforts

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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. [Read more…] about Paws to the Polls continues voter education efforts

Paws to the Polls shows college students importance of voting

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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.

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