By Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner
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Last year, Phi Theta Kappa members completed more than 75,000 scholarship applications, and our members led nearly 900 projects focused on research and service. It’s proof that you, as community college students, are all about making things happen and driving change, both on your campuses and in your communities. But there’s one area where we still have room to grow—our presence at the polls.
The Institute for Democracy and Higher Education (IDHE) dug into the numbers, and here’s what they found: community college students are voting more than ever, but are still lagging about 10% behind four-year students. Plus, a quarter of community college students aren’t registered to vote at all. Think about that—a quarter of community college students aren’t in the game when it comes to voting, and of those who are, only half actually show up to cast their ballot. If you’re all about creating change, your vote is a key part of that.
It’s surprising, right? Community college students don’t face the same hurdles to voting as their four-year counterparts. While many four-year college students have to jump through hoops with absentee or mail-in ballots, most community college students live, work, and study in their communities and close to home. That means in-person voting should be much easier for community college students—so what’s the issue?
Research shows the biggest barrier to voting for community college students isn’t access—it’s simply a lack of outreach. PTK members are better than just about everyone at outreach, leadership, and connecting with other students. YOU can be the voice that encourages other students to register and cast their ballot.
This year, community college students have a lot riding on the outcome of this year’s election. There are tons of issues—both nationally and locally—that affect students like you more than ever—regardless of who you support. Here are just a few of the big ones:
- Student Debt and Tuition Costs College affordability is a huge deal. How many of us don’t qualify for Pell Grants, yet we’re still struggling to stay in school? How many side gigs do you have to juggle just to make ends meet? It feels impossible to get ahead without a degree or credential. Politicians have wildly different views on things like tuition-free college, student loan forgiveness, and financial aid. Your vote can decide who’s making those calls about funding and how much support students actually get.
- Job Market and Minimum Wage We all need solid jobs when we graduate—ones that actually pay what we’re worth with our new skills and hustle. Policies around the economy, like raising the minimum wage or creating more job opportunities, directly hit home for college students. A lot of us are already balancing work and school, and voting is how we shape the policies that can make that grind a little easier.
- Climate Change A lot of our chapter projects are all about environmental issues, and we’ve got a front-row seat to how fired up students are about climate change. The policies that elected officials put in place today will shape the future of our planet, from job markets to living conditions to public health. Your vote helps decide the future of the environment—and that future affects all of us.
- Civil Rights and Equality So many of our members are fired up about equality—whether it’s LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, or gender equality. The truth is, the people we elect decide a lot about who gets access to equity. The laws that protect—or limit—civil rights are shaped by who’s in office. Your vote has the power to influence the policies that impact you and your community personally.
- Gun Control and Campus Safety Many community college students are parents, and it’s not just about their safety on campus—it’s about creating a safer future for the next generation, too. Issues like campus safety and gun control are high on the list of concerns for students I speak with. While these laws may take time to create the changes we want, voting is a way to have a voice in shaping those policies. Whether it’s about safety or other concerns, your vote helps steer the decisions that affect our communities.
Call to Action
Today, September 17, is National Voter Registration Day, and the reason it matters is simple: People who act now, will beat the voting registration deadlines in all 50 states.
PTK has joined a group of over 100 college presidents and non-profits to increase awareness around student voting. I’m excited to see PTK members and chapters step up and take action on their campuses and communities, with the goal of magnifying the voice of community college students by at least 10%. Check out the Campus Vote Project website with everything you need to know about student voting—it breaks down exactly how the process works in every state, so you can get registered and ready.
Learn more and register today!
Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner is President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Phi Theta Kappa’s mission is to recognize high achieving college students and provide them with opportunities to grow as scholars and leaders. Phi Theta Kappa is recognized as the official honor society for community college students by the American Association of Community Colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.
