At the Thurman J. White Forum Building, students watch with rapt attention the presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, discussing and laughing at the claims made by both candidates.
Oklahoma Votes held a presidential debate watch party to encourage civic engagement among OU students on Tuesday.
Oklahoma Votes is a non-partisan student organization that makes participation in democracy a priority on OU’s campus by assisting students in registering, educating and mobilizing other students and community members.
Aaron Mason, an engineering junior at the watch party, said students should stay informed on the policies of both candidates and educate themselves going forward, using resources like Oklahoma Votes.
“I watched the economy over both administrations and I think most people can make a prediction based on what happened between both sides and moving forward we can do better,” Mason said following the presidential debate.
Jackson Ivester, a business freshman, said attending the debate watch party reminded him to be more active in participating in his community.
“There's no reason to not want to have a say in what goes on in government,” Ivester said. “Voting is very important. Do it.”
Ally Khrais, Oklahoma Votes programming chair, said she hopes the debate watch party encourages students to join not only Oklahoma Votes, but other political organizations like OU College Democrats and OU College Republicans. Khrais said she hopes students will be inspired to speak out about their political views and vote for who they think is the best candidate.
Hope Wear, Oklahoma Votes membership chair, encouraged students to take multiple steps towards becoming more prepared voters ahead of the November election.
“Your vote matters,” Wear said. “College students right now, we have the largest voting block, but unfortunately, not everyone is getting out and voting because that's not something we as young adults want to do.”
Wear advised students to register to vote, have a plan on election day and know the location of polling places.
For more information about how to register to vote and upcoming elections visit the State Election Board website and vote.gov.
This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure, Ismael Lele and Ana Barboza.
