Our Mission
Cornell Votes is a university-sponsored nonpartisan, student-led organization that aims to increase voter registration, turnout, and civic engagement on campus. We strive to create a campus where every person exercises their right to have a voice in their representation.
Organizational Structure
Our organization is housed within the David M. Einhorn Center for Community Engagement and operates with three departments: Coalition, Communications, and Community Engagement. Each Department hosts many meetings and initiatives, all dedicated to achieving the core goals of the Department. Each Department has a Chair who serves on the Executive Board and a liaison who works to bring the departments together. The President and Vice Presidents work with campus administration and national organizations to foster institutionalization and provide support to the departments.
Department Overview
Coalition
The Coalition Department is the key bridge between Cornell Votes and other student programs. It outreaches to campus and outside organizations to find and work with partners that will help further Cornell Votes' mission to increase civic engagement among Cornellians.​​
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​The Department seeks to continue increasing its student partnerships and host meetings for the coalition to convene. The Department also seeks to solidify and strengthen our existing relationships with national organizations. Cornell Votes will continue to participate in the Ivy League Challenge to further civic engagement among the nation's most prestigious schools.
Communications
The Communications Department is the "face" of Cornell Votes where it is responsible for designing graphics and broadcasting voter information and Cornell Votes' programming on social media and in-person throughout campus.
The Department's largest focus is the continued expansion of our social media influence, primarily through our platform on Instagram. We also seek to strengthen our in-person efforts to make Cornell Votes visible throughout campus. Election information materials are displayed on slide decks in digital screens across campus to promote key election information. Efforts also include chalking, stickering, postering, and giving short speeches in classrooms.
Community Engagement
The Community Engagement Department is Cornell Votes’ hub for civic engagement advocacy and education. The Department regularly hosts tabling events across campus to increase voter registration. It also creates videos and hosts workshops that teach students about voter registration and absentee voting.
Much of Cornell Votes’ GOTV efforts are initiatives led by the Community Engagement Department. As the largest department within Cornell Votes, the Community Engagement Department is ready to increase turnout and help make our goals a reality.