1,000 signatures reached
To: Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger
Designate Election Day as a University Holiday at SUNY Binghamton
Binghamton University must show its commitment to promoting youth voting rights by allowing students the opportunity to vote, free of the time constraints that come with attending classes. Binghamton University has the opportunity to help increase voter turnout on campus and amplify the voices of Binghamton’s student body. To do so, Generation Vote at Binghamton University is calling upon Binghamton University’s administration to designate Election Day as a university holiday.
Why is this important?
Designating Election Day as a university holiday is important in increasing voter turnout and promoting civic engagement among students, faculty, and staff at Binghamton University. On-campus polling sites and early voting have both helped in this endeavor but fall short of allowing students the proper time to vote. 47% of college students cite being too busy as their primary reason for not voting. Having Election Day designated as a university holiday would free students of the time constraint of having to attend hours of classes on Election Day.
In 2019, New York amended the Paid Voting Leave Law to allow voters to take up to three hours from work to cast their ballot on Election Day. Still, no provision exists allowing students time off from class to vote.
The University of Montana is closed on Election Day in even-numbered years, and in New York, Columbia University treats Election Day as a university holiday with the cancelation of all classes. Making Election Day a state and national holiday is already a legislative priority at the state and federal levels for many lawmakers. Binghamton University could be at the forefront of this movement by designating Election Day as a university holiday.
While the university already cancels classes for a number of holidays meant for observation, cancelling classes on Election Day would serve a practical purpose by allowing the Binghamton University community the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.
Together, through this initiative, we can help uplift the underrepresented voice of today’s youth. Please join us in urging President Stenger to designate Election Day as a university holiday.
In 2019, New York amended the Paid Voting Leave Law to allow voters to take up to three hours from work to cast their ballot on Election Day. Still, no provision exists allowing students time off from class to vote.
The University of Montana is closed on Election Day in even-numbered years, and in New York, Columbia University treats Election Day as a university holiday with the cancelation of all classes. Making Election Day a state and national holiday is already a legislative priority at the state and federal levels for many lawmakers. Binghamton University could be at the forefront of this movement by designating Election Day as a university holiday.
While the university already cancels classes for a number of holidays meant for observation, cancelling classes on Election Day would serve a practical purpose by allowing the Binghamton University community the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.
Together, through this initiative, we can help uplift the underrepresented voice of today’s youth. Please join us in urging President Stenger to designate Election Day as a university holiday.