Our Mission:
Yale Votes: A Student Initiative is a non-partisan, student-led organization that promotes voter turnout on campus by helping students vote, encouraging civic dialogue, and making Yale an easy place to cast a ballot. We build a community where students inspire each other to engage with the issues they care about by participating in our democracy, both in the classroom and at the polls.
Our Activities:
Buttery Nights Direct Service One of Yale Votes' most popular staple events, Buttery Nights are fast-paced events where Yale Votes members pay for students' buttery orders in exchange for their completion of a voter registration or absentee ballot request form. General Tabling Events Direct Service Yale Votes sets up tables outside popular locations on campus such as Beinecke Plaza and Cross Campus where we personally help students register to vote, request absentee ballots, or have voting questions answered. Presidential Debate Watch Party Direct Service On September 10, Yale Votes held a watch party in SSS Auditorium for the presidential debate, featuring food and drinks for registered Yale students and faculty. A table in the lobby offered guests the chance to register to vote or request their absentee ballot during commercial breaks. The event was a huge success, with over 400 attendees and a feature in the Yale Daily News. Postcard Writing Advocacy or Activism We invite students to write postcards encouraging relatives and neighbors to vote. Tiny Mic Interviews Advocacy or Activism Featuring prominent Yale figures such as President Maurie McInnis and Dean Pericles Lewis, we connect with students and staff throughout the year to hear about their experiences with civic participation at Yale. Vice Presidential Debate Watch Party Advocacy or Activism After the enormous success of our presidential debate watch party, we are preparing a watch party for the vice presidential debate (the final debate of this election year) in SSS Auditorium with food and drinks for all student and community attendees.