*In this photo:* (L-r) Panelist Eugene Young, Dr. Jason Bourke, Camara Kelley, Donyale Hall, and moderator Dr. Donna Patterson, shared their perspective on why it is important for DSU students to exercise their rights to vote.

On Campus

Voting Importance Panel Discussion

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Delaware State University is working hard to ensure that its students understand critical responsibilities over the next few months – to exercise their right to vote in national, state and local elections.

In addition to the numerous channels through which the University is urging its students to register and vote, DSU hosted “The Importance of Voting Nonpartisan Panel Discussion” on Aug. 27 in the MLK Jr. Student Center.

Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester kicked the event off by noting the sacrifices made by ancestors in this country to ensure everyone has the right to vote. DSU First Lady Tara Allen (l) poses with Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, who gave opening remarks at the event.

The panel participants – Dr. Jason Bourke, DSU Assistant Professor of History and Political Science; Donyale Hall, community advocate; Camara Kelley, DSU student; and Eugene Young, community organizer – further illuminated the obligation and imperative make their voices count in the voting booths.

“Your life is impacted every day by policy and legislation,” Mr. Young said. “Whether it is the sidewalks you walk on, the funding at your school, jobs, the justice system; your vote impacts all of these things.”

Part of the discussion revolved around how to get the most accurate information about the candidates, their, qualifications, claims and platforms.

“Just because it appears on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat, it is not always accurate,” Ms. Hall. “It is incumbent upon all of us to do the research and fact-checking over and over again from reputable sources.”

Ms. Kelley noted that reading about candidates and major campaign issues is a great alternative to the watching cable television news. She added that attention should be paid, not just on national politics, but what is going on in local communities.

“Read your local news,” Ms. Kelley said. “Your local politicians are doing something every day. Make sure you know what they are doing, what decisions they are making.”

Dr. Bourke said reputable newspapers will show substantiation in their published articles.

“Are they hyperlinking out to other sources,” Dr. Bourke said. “If they are not showing you the receipts, you’ve got to be skeptical.”

Dr. Donna Patterson, DSU Professor of History and Political Science, moderated the panel discussion.