The University of Connecticut Undergraduate Student Government (USG) hosted the Voter Registration Bash on the Student Union Lawn on Thursday, Oct. 1, to help students register to vote ahead of upcoming elections.
The atmosphere on the lawn remained cheerful and energetic throughout the afternoon as members of USG called out, encouraging students to vote. Between classes, students were drawn in by enthusiasm of USG members shouting out reminders about upcoming registration deadlines, helping turn what feels like a civic duty into a lively, community-centered celebration.
Student leaders said the goal of the event was to clear up confusion around voter registration for college students.
“This is an informational event where students are given an opportunity to learn how to register how to vote because a lot of students don’t actually know how to register,” SUBOG member Krisha Patel, a third-semester computer science major, said.
SUBOG partnered with USG to bring food trucks to the event. Students could choose from a variety of different food truck options including Luanne’s Cupcakes, Lizzie’s Food Truck, and Get Fizzy.
Pop up tents featured games, prizes, USG merchandise and food trucks. Many featured wheels that students could spin to learn more information about registering, while also winning a free prize or treat.
The event offered both in-state and out-of-state students resources to register, request absentee ballots and learn about opportunities to work as poll workers.
Julia Poreda, a third-semester molecular and cell biology major, said that she is from New Jersey and the event was informative.
“I’m not from here and I learned how to actually register in a different state,” Poreda said. “I was super nervous, but everyone ended up being super kind and helpful.”
Taking the first step to vote can be intimidating, but the event provided a comfortable and accessible space to visit alongside friends, making the process more peaceful.
Addison Barr, a third-semester physiology and neurobiology major on a pre-med track, said elections typically bring emotional challenges to her.
“Every time there’s some election coming up, I get stressed,” Barr said. “These events really help me get the gist of what’s going on.”
The next upcoming election takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 3, with early voting from Oct. 19 through Nov. 1. For more information regarding election updates, official registration resources or details for out-of-state voting guidelines, students can visit the CT Secretary of the State Voter Portal and the UConn Voting Information Resource.