One TCU department is helping students and faculty get to the polls this weekend as early voting gets underway in Texas.
TCU Multicultural & International Student Services is holding an event called TCU Votes Early that will provide transportation to a polling center for students and faculty who are registered to vote in Tarrant County.
TCU’s campus does not have a polling center, unlike in years past.
Timeka Gordon, the director of inclusiveness and intercultural services and the Community Scholars program, is one of the organizers of the event and said it is a very important step to take for voters and a good way to get your vote in early.
“This event is to further encourage active engagement and participation in our democracy and their future,” she said.
Read more: Tarrant County Elections administrator details Election Day during COVID-19
The event will be held Saturday, Oct. 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students and faculty members will be bused to the Southwest Regional Library polling location throughout the day.
Social distancing guidelines will be in place, and those who wish to attend must wear a face mask at all times. The only requirement aside from a mask is an ID or other form of identification for voting, such as a military ID or passport.
With the upcoming election called one of the most important elections in history, some TCU students are passionate about having their voice heard.
Cecilia Alejandra Esparza, a junior electrical engineering major who will attend the event, talked about the importance of having young people vote.
“Voting is extremely important to me, especially knowing people that cannot actively vote that wish they could,” Esparza said. “It is extremely crucial for our generation to vote in this upcoming election because our generation is so diverse and large that we have the ability to create change in this struggling society. Although it may seem that one vote will not be heard and doesn’t make a difference, a single vote can tip the polls.”
Esparza also discussed the importance of having each person’s voice heard this election and voting for those who are unable to vote. She said it was her and many other young people’s duties to be the voices for the voiceless this election.
Attendees are asked to meet in Palko Room 130 on Saturday.