The Day On Democracy program calls for the cancellation of classes to allow students the time to vote AND engage with community organizations. In the status quo, students can’t do both. Indeed, some student populations, such as commuters, have difficulty finding time simply to vote because their classes fall only, or mostly, on Tuesdays. Many students also have work obligations on Election Day, decreasing the chances they can find time to vote.

Yes. State law requires that public universities in South Carolina, Montana, and Hawaii observe Election Day. Columbia University holds its fall break the Monday and Tuesday of election week, and has done so since 1968. The University of Mary Washington is the most recent addition to the list, and the first to adopt the Day.

The short answer is yes. While we can't say how many students will participate, the cancellation of classes will allow any and all students who want to be civically active on Election Day to participate in helping their community. Not all students will vote, and not all students will volunteer. Students with the desire to participate, but not enough time to do so, will capitalize on the Day, and so will the surrounding community. There will always be students who don’t take advantage of the Day and, to a certain degree, this outcome can’t be helped. The purpose of the Day is to reward and encourage civic participation in the form of voting, volunteering, and advocating for your community. With the appropriate institutional support, the Day can easily become a tradition. It's all about taking that first step toward creating a democracy-friendly campus.

We recommend utilizing your NSLVE reports to continuously assess voter registration and turnout rates at your institution. You can combine these data with sign-in sheets for volunteer activities, head-counts at lecture talks and celebratory events, and communication between the university and the student body on whether or not the Day is something they enjoy.

For most students, the events of the Day will be enticing enough to encourage participation. To boost engagement, we recommend offering prizes, giveaways, and contests leading up to Election Day. On the Day, the class with the most combined volunteer hours might be given a prize and a plaque to recognize its achievement. Those who attend the celebratory events might be eligible for t-shirts, gift cards, and other goodies. Professors should be encouraged to provide assignments or extra credit opportunities surrounding voting and civic engagement. Entire classes could also sign up to work the events of the Day, volunteer, or host community conversations. The possibilities are limitless!

We are confident that Day On Democracy benefits every university constituency. While the status quo gives faculty discretion in cancelling classes on Election Day, many abstain from doing so, whether it be over time constraints, fear of appearing partisan, or general lack of interest. The Day would lift the burden off of the faculty, and also provide them with greater flexibility in their voting schedule. We encourage faculty, staff, and administrators to participate in the volunteering/celebratory activities of the Day as well, to connect with students and have some fun! The more people that participate, the greater the benefits to the campus and surrounding community. The Day is structured so that everyone, including those who can’t vote in the United States, can contribute to the betterment of those around them. Community nonprofits will have a flood of available hands, local registrars will have plenty of poll workers, and students and faculty alike will move out of the classrooms and into the streets, livening up the community with a common goal and a shared passion.

Our university didn’t require a make-up day. The benefits to the institution and the community outweighed the concern over lost contact hours. Be prepared to work with your administrators to set up the Day for success at your school!