Elon Votes is hosting a vice presidential debate watch party in Moseley

Elon Votes hosted a watch party for the vice presidential debate between Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on October 1 at the Moseley Student Center.

Elon Votes outreach director and senior Allison Durand said she believes the organization can help create community on campus by providing students a place to meet and discuss issues related to the choice can speak.

“We’re creating a place on campus where students can come together and talk about these things,” Durand said. “It’s just meant to help inspire students.”

Elon Votes used free pizza and printed games such as crossword puzzles, word searches, and bingo cards to keep viewers engaged with the topics discussed during the debate.

Junior Josh Gaolaski came to watch the vice presidential debate with his friends and said he believes events like this foster a sense of political community on campus.

“Look around, look at all the people that are here,” Golaski said. “Everyone came, so I think that’s the motivation.”

beginning of September, Elon Votes hosted a presidential debate watch party in Moseley, where student turnout was high. Before the vice presidential debate began, Elon Votes student coordinator and junior Lindsay Bialecki said Elon Votes expected an equally good turnout for the vice presidential debate.

However, student turnout, at about 50, was only about half of the presidential debate – and many left the party before the debate ended.

“We’re excited for people to learn about vice presidential candidates,” Bialecki said. “They’re not at the top of the list, but they’re there. So it’s an important event.”

Bialecki highlighted Elon Vote’s efforts to keep it Elon community is politically active as Election day is approaching. Elon Votes ran a weekly voter registration campaign and hosted events – such as: Conversations about fear of the election And how AI can impact the election – And Candidate forums.

“We understand that sometimes it can be difficult or discouraging to receive information and hear from candidates,” Bialecki said. “We want to make sure people have a space where they can watch an event and listen to people talk about it or ask us questions.”

Trista Panagakos | Elon News Network

Sophomore Jinelle Gonzalez attended the presidential debate on September 10 and found it to be an enjoyable experience. As a member of the Student Government Association, Gonzalez helped organize the watch party.

After listening to Vance and Walz’s different policy positions, Gonzalez said her preconceived notions about the two candidates changed.

“The way they presented themselves today is very different from what I heard about them on social media and in the news,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said she believes the events hosted by Elon Votes help people learn more about what is happening in the election cycle and help build community with other students on campus.

“Events like this, especially during an election cycle, are very important to help people get informed,” Gonzalez said. “It also helps people learn about the election and what happens during an election in a safe place.”

For more information, see Elon voices at the Kernodle Center for Civic Life in the Moseley Student Center.