By JRN 111 STudents

“Is this where you get the stickers?” said a Moraine Valley student as she approached volunteers sitting at a table outside the library Sept. 15 for National Voter Registration Day. Her professor, she explained, had offered extra credit if she showed proof she had stopped at the table.

Her question exemplified the disconnect that took place that day between the passionate organizers who had come to campus to stress the importance of voting and the students they were trying to reach, some of whom had other priorities.

The League of Women Voters and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights had come to the library and the U building to help students register in time for the midterm election on Nov. 3. But many students said they felt too disengaged, unempowered or uninformed to vote—despite the fact that Moraine Valley itself is on the ballot. 

“Every time I would watch the elections and like, see the numbers, I would feel like my vote wouldn’t matter,” said Sin Will, an 18-year-old freshman. “It’d be like 8 million people and it’s just gon’ be my lil vote.”  

Some students say the difficulty is not knowing enough about the candidates and issues to feel confident casting their votes.  

That uncertainty comes as Moraine Valley prepares for a $115 million bond referendum that will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot. If approved, the bond would fund construction, equipment, renovations and repairs for career and technical education programs including automation and engineering technology, fire science, emergency medical services, automotive technology, HVAC and refrigeration, and welding. The college says those programs have experienced significant enrollment growth and face limitations in their current spaces. 

“If you want to control your future, then you have to get educated and take the time to vote.”

Linda McConnell, League of Women Voters

The National Voter Registration Day event on campus was organized by political science professor Kevin Navratil, who heads the college’s Democracy Commitment program. 

Navratil said awareness of what’s at stake for Moraine Valley has been limited among some students. He recalled discussing the issue with a class of 35 students and said, “not a single student knew there was a referendum.”  

Referendums are an opportunity for citizens, instead of elected officials, to directly decide an issue with a majority vote. This election also will provide a chance to cast a vote for many different offices including U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, numerous state-level races, including governor, and local races.

The Voter Registration Day event gave students an opportunity to register, check their registration status, and learn what will appear on their ballots. With nearly 50 million people ages 18 to 29 eligible to vote nationwide in 2026 according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, volunteers addressed the importance of young voters as well as the uncertainty, misinformation and lack of confidence that may keep them from participating. 

Lamaya Jackson, a 25-year-old librarian who described herself as an older member of Gen Z, said young voters should not allow pressure from older generations to silence them. 

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions, speak your mind, and don’t let the older generation get to you,” she said. 

Jackson said being unsure can give young people a reason to ask questions and learn rather than avoid politics completely.  

“Engagement goes up when people think it directly affects them,” Navratil said. “Our quality of life is all connected to politics.” 

Linda McConnell of the League of Women Voters said understanding what appears on the ballot allows voters to have a say in decisions affecting their communities. 

“If you want to control your future, then you have to get educated and take the time to vote,” McConnell said. 

“I have voted in elections where they were tied and you had to flip a coin, so absolutely one vote matters. Your vote is your voice.”

Victoria L. Cernich, League of Women Voters

Some Moraine Valley students expressed uncertainty about participating in the upcoming election.  

“I feel like I don’t have enough information to vote,” said Dayanara Garcia, a mechanical engineering major. “My family never taught me about voting.” 

Other students described voting as something that gains influence when people participate collectively. Lex Will, another 18-year-old freshman, said his vote could contribute to change but could not accomplish that change alone. 

“I feel like my vote can make a difference, but it doesn’t make a difference without a population of people trying to change what is going on, too,” Will said. 

Romie Alzebak, a 19-year-old criminal justice and forensic science major, described the belief that one vote cannot accomplish anything as a matter of perspective. 

“People choose not to vote because it’s not going to make a difference,” Alzebak said. “Eight billion people say, ‘Oh, what am I going to do?’ I just think it’s a matter of mindset.” 

Some younger students discussed feeling uninformed or uncertain about their influence, while older participants spoke about voting through their past experiences. 

“There’s a lot of people who are casting ballots who are uneducated on topics or candidates, and you are a citizen of this political system whether it’s at the national, state or local level, but your vote should count,” Navratil said. 

Victoria L. Cernich, a 73-year-old media literacy professor and member of the League of Women Voters, recalled participating in elections decided by narrow margins. 

“I have voted in more than one election where one vote decided the election,” Cernich said. “I have voted in elections where they were tied and you had to flip a coin, so absolutely one vote matters. Your vote is your voice.” 

Students who want to participate may still find it difficult to research every candidate and race appearing on their ballots. Navratil acknowledged that ballots can contain many races but said websites and other voter resources can help people prepare. 

“We never lived in a time with more information and misinformation,” Navratil said. 

The National Voter Registration Day event offered students a place to begin that process. Organizers provided information about registration, checking registration status and the different ways voters can cast their ballots. 

“It’s a way of bringing awareness, and not only the election, but, hey, are you registered to vote?” Navratil said. “Can you check your registration status? If you’re not registered, then you can register in person.” 

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JRN 111 students OMAR arriaga, bobby bartolini, luke breier, ameen daineh, bree difoggio, deyvion nichols and cash thompson contributed to this report