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New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way and college students from across the state will take part in a celebration at William Paterson University on Tuesday, September 17 for the State of New Jersey’s Ballot Bowl Kick-Off. The event will run from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the University Ballrooms.
The Ballot Bowl is an annual statewide nonpartisan voter registration and engagement competition established by the lieutenant governor. Therein, collegiate-based teams compete to see who can register the most voters and obtain the most commitments to vote based on their campus size.
During the kick-off pep rally, Lt. Governor Way will address the crowd as will two New York Giants football players who are scheduled to appear: Kayvon Thibodeaux and Bobby Okereke. There will be voter registration tables, games with prizes, a DJ, a free pizza lunch, giveaways from professional sports teams, video messages from additional NFL players, and more.
“Ballot Bowl is one of my favorite events annually because it’s such a great example of young voters getting enthusiastically involved in our democracy,” says Lt. Governor Way. “Each year, we see students across New Jersey join their campus Ballot Bowl team to help their classmates register to vote and participate in our elections. It’s the best kind of competition because it really makes an impact. I applaud their efforts.”
“We are pleased to again host the New Jersey Ballot Bowl Kickoff event, which is another opportunity to highlight the importance of civic engagement for William Paterson students,” says University President Richard J. Helldobler. “I know our Pioneers will again excel in this friendly competition, and when more eligible New Jersey college students across the state participate in our democracy and exercise their right to vote, we all win.”
This year, New Jersey voters will not only cast their ballots for the next US President, but also members of Congress and a Senator. There are also municipal and county offices on the ballot.
The deadline to register to vote in the November elections is October 15, 2024.
Donna Minnich Spuhler, WP Director of Campus Activities, Service and Leadership, organized the Ballot Bowl Kick-Off. “WP has participated in the Ballot Bowl competition since it began, and we are excited to be chosen to host this year’s Ballot Bowl Kick-Off. Working with our chapter members of the American Democracy Project, we strive to raise awareness about civic engagement, including registering students to vote and committing to voting in all elections.”
09/12/24
