WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2024 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan VOLUME 117 | ISSUE 7
First Time Voters Reflect on Election
STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916
Students React to On-Campus Voting
Isabella Balian Political Columnist
This election cycle is the first presidential election that many students could vote in for the first time. For the first time, Villanova students were able to vote on campus at the Performing Arts Center. First time voters were able to cast their ballot for the President of the United States down to their Pennsylvania state representatives. Villanovans who reside on campus were able to vote in the Mullen Center, and off-campus students were able to vote at their respective polling locations, like local churches and community centers. At the Mullen center, local campaigns and Villanova organizations like Let’s Vote Nova were stationed outside the polls to encourage students. The Villanovan spoke to students about their experience voting for the first time. Senior Student Dean Millard spoke on his choice to change his voter address from his hometown to his campus address in Pennsylvania. He also spoke on his choice to vote in this election for the very first time. “I changed my registration to on campus. I think it’s going to be very memorable to vote for the first time at my future alma mater," Millard said. Millard also spoke on his efforts with the student organization, Lets Vote Nova. “Also just helping out with Lets Vote Nova initiatives, regardless of which way Continued on p. 11
Villanova on-campus residents took to the Mullen Center to vote in Pennsylvania, waiting for up to three hours on the line. Graydon Paul/ Villanovan Photography
Lauren Armstrong Co-News Editor
From before dawn to after dusk, thousands of Villanova students waited outside the John and Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts, commonly referred to as “PAC,” to cast their votes in the 2024 general election. This election marked the first time students who live on campus could vote here on campus. Students used to vote between four different voting locations, and now all voted today in PAC. “It definitely took a long time, but it went very smoothly,” senior environ-
mental science major Kayla MacKinnon said. “I did see people cutting the line, though, but having Hally Ammons there was great and a welcoming environment.” Ammons, as well as other representatives from Let’s Vote ‘Nova, were at the polls all day, helping students make sure they were correctly registered to vote and answering any questions that voters had going into the polls. Throughout the day, as more and more students finished classes and found time to wait, the line began to wrap all the way around the building, and students waited for up to four hours in order
to make sure their voices were heard. “I waited in line to vote from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.,” junior Katherine Carney said. “I wish there was a way to make it go faster, or that there was a timer, like at Disney, that showed how long there was to wait,” junior economics and environmental science major Alex Potter said. However, voting on campus had its perks. Cinematic star Paul Rudd made a surprise appearance on campus, encouraging voters to stay in line and let their voices be heard while handing out
water and snacks. In addition, the nonpartisan nonprofit Pizza to the Polls sent over 15 pies to campus to help feed voters as they waited in line. One of the main criticisms with this election was that Villanova did not cancel classes today, causing a sense of voter suppression on campus. With students having classes as early as 8:30 a.m. and as late as 6 p.m., there were hard decisions to be made: to miss class or to risk not being able to vote. “I skipped class to vote because I was new to the voting process and greatly underestimated how long it would take,” freshman SaContinued on p. 10
Exit Polling Occurs Outside of Mullen Center Isabella Carlin
Political Columnist Villanova voters were greeted by an exit poll table outside the Mullen Center after they cast their ballots Tuesday. This was the first time in Villanova history that exit polls were incorporated into the student voting process. Exit polling is the process of gathering voter opinions immediately after they leave the voting site. The
goal of this procedure is to gain data on who voters supported and to better understand how voters shaped their political beliefs.
“The data will not be available that night but will provide insight into how voters are feeling,” Communication Professor Allyson Levin
Jay Wright was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Brian Luppy/ Villanovan Photography
said.
The Villanova initiative consisted of a non-partisan research project through the Communication and Political Science Departments. It was led by Political Science Associate Professor, Camille Burge-Hicks. The project was also part of a group of senior Communication students’ capstone project for Professor Tom Ksiazek’s class. Other universities, such as the University of Pennsylvania and MuhlenContinued on p. 11
Villanova Hosts Annual Special Olympic Fall Festival p. 3
Fall Election Series: Reproductive Health p. 4
Choosing CLAS: Why Liberal Arts? p. 5
Is It Time to Reshape the Tipping Culture p. 8
Off-Campus Ballots Cast Their Vote in PA p. 10
Kamala Harris Hosts Final Rally in Philadelphia p. 12
Paul Rudd Pays a Visit to Villanova Voters p. 13
Exploring Opportunities: Studying Abroad p. 15
Wildcat Watch: Unified Sports at Special Olympics p. 18
MBB and WBB Fun Facts p. 21