The Center for Community Engagement recently launched the Democracy Fellows program, seeking students interested in civic engagement to lead voter registration drives, coordinate nonpartisan education initiatives and help make the campus more democratically engaged.
The Democracy Fellows have worked tirelessly over the past few months to host voter registration drives, voting workshops and discussion forums on ballot measures or candidate issues under the guidance of advisor Katie Brocklesby.
“The core mission of Democracy Fellows is to provide an opportunity for students to connect to their sense of democracy and their sense of citizenship,” Brocklesby said. “The nonpartisan part of that is really key; it’s purely language about civic education through no filter at all, just the facts.”
Educational programming includes information on protesting, voting and utilizing free speech rights.
After completing the initial steps for forming Democracy Fellows, Brocklesby began gathering a group of like-minded individuals determined to see nonpartisan civic education happen on campus. The fellows obtained funding through the Division of Student Affairs Innovation Fund, an initiative meant for Student Affairs programs bringing new elements to campus
Jeremy Battjes, vice chancellor of Student Affairs, said the division wanted to use its Innovation Fund awards to support and encourage creative thinking that aligned with these priorities:
- Student access, well-being and belonging
- Post-graduation success
- Building a strong organizational culture
“Democracy Fellows was an up-and-coming group of student leaders wanting to educate their peers on first amendment rights, voting and other civic engagement topics,” Battjes said. “This was an unmet need, and we were happy to support students in expanding students’ knowledge on these topics.”
Brocklesby said the funding now pays for programming and student stipends.
Tess Jones, a senior political science and communications major with a minor in history, was a founding member of Democracy Fellows and now serves as the president. She said that while
she and the three other executive members have their respective titles, they are all equals and split the work evenly.
“My goal for this organization is that it continues to grow and becomes the go-to place for students who need help with anything to do with civics,” Jones said.
Jones said this organization is vital during a big election year because while voting is relatively simple, it is often daunting. While young voters are more politically active in their messaging, they are also less likely to vote, especially with the barriers that come from being a college student.
The university has a relatively higher voter registration rate but low voter turnout. According to the National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement (NSLVE), U of A has a voter participation rate of 43.5% compared to the national average of 50.4%. Brocklesby said these statistics are prompting the organization to overcome barriers and bridge any educational gaps with the goal of an increase in voter participation.
Students interested in becoming a fellow, volunteering or attending Democracy Fellows events are encouraged to follow the Instagram for more information.
“Voting is the most important thing we get to do as citizens,” Jones said. “I hope Democracy Fellows makes the University of Arkansas a more voter friendly campus and gets students to vote.”