Election day often provokes many questions — from how to register to vote to what certain results mean for individuals and the country. To help answer some of those questions, there are a number of events and resources available. 

The answer to how to register to vote came when more than 100 registered to vote during a day-long registration drive at the IHP. 

Organized by Assistant Dean for Faculty and Student Success Mike Boutin and Occupational Therapy professor Diane Smith, faculty, and staff manned tables at 2 CW and Shouse and registered students via vote.gov with the help of laptops, a QR code that took them directly to the site, paper forms to register in Massachusetts, and a national paper form that allowed students to register in any of the 50 states or territories.

The event was held last week, on National Voter Registration Day (and Constitution Day), a day when former First Lady Michelle Obama posted a public service announcement urging people to register. 

Even as they registered, students had plenty of questions, especially those who are new to the IHP. Among them:  I live in California, and I don’t have a Massachusetts driver’s license yet. Can I register to vote here or in my home state? How do I know if I’m registered? 

“We registered at least 100 students, and many students took the QR code to do it later in the day when they had more time,” said Boutin. “We were thrilled with the result: we raised consciousness, got some folks registered, and saw a lot of enthusiasm for the democratic process. That’s a win.”

For those who haven’t registered, Massachusetts residents have until October 26 to register to vote in person. Residents of other states can see their states’ deadlines on vote.org.

Resources and Virtual Events

Another question people have is what the election will mean for them personally and professionally. There will be a faculty panel on “What’s at Stake for Health Care in the 2024 Elections” on Tuesday, October 29 at noon and there are plans for an informational session for international students both before and after the election to answer questions about how the impact of the election. For more information, reach out to pcahn [at] mghihp.edu (Peter Cahn).  

There are also several resources related to managing stress during the election season. A webinar on Coping with Election Stress took place on September 24 that suggested focusing on what is within your control, such as what you believe and value and how you cope. On October 10, there will be a webinar on Fostering a Sense of Belonging for employees from noon-1 p.m., and other relaxation resources from EAP. 

Other resources include a General Elections Padlet from the JEDI Office, Advice for Faculty on Supporting Students During the Election, Campus Engagement Resources from All IN Challenge and Civic Engagement Tools from the Ginsberg Center.