With the presidential election coming up in just less than a month, Trinity’s student-led political organizations have been focused on increasing student voter registration and civic engagement. With these initiatives, even apolitical students have various opportunities to participate in or learn about the political realm.
There have been many campus-wide efforts to make voter registration as accessible as possible. One organization that has helped spearhead the endeavor is M.O.V.E. Texas, a state-wide nonpartisan, nonprofit grassroots organization that focuses on civic engagement, especially in marginalized youth communities. The M.O.V.E. chapter here at Trinity is led by Nina Pollak, junior political science and business double-major. The organization has focused mainly on helping students register to vote, usually through tabling events, and often holds information sessions on various political issues.
“I believe strongly that we can have different beliefs,” Pollak said. She also emphasized the importance of M.O.V.E. being a nonpartisan organization that welcomes political discussions of all ideologies across the political spectrum.
One organization with a different political focus is Tigers for Reproductive Justice (TFRJ), which advocates for the political expansion of reproductive healthcare and provides access to sexual health-related services to students, such as birth control and STI and STD testing. Kharma Haltom, junior neuroscience major, is the organization’s president.
“The goal is to ultimately bring down the number of abortions through access to healthcare and birth control,” Haltom said.
Instead of focusing on elections, she said the organization’s main goal is to spread awareness for October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, mainly through fundraising and creating care packages for victims. TFRJ often works with Planned Parenthood to provide students with volunteer opportunities. Haltom invites students of all political backgrounds to take part in such events that will directly give back to the community.
“We know that at times, we can be controversial but we don’t think we should be controversial,” Haltom said.
Lastly, Trinity University Progressives (TUProg), has also played a role in easing the process of voter registration on campus. TUProg is a left-leaning organization serving as a nexus for progressive political thought, discussion and activism. The club members have also taken the initiative to become volunteer deputy registrars to be able to directly take in voter registration applications. This position is open for applications on the Texas Secretary of State website or at your local elections office for U.S. citizens at least 18 years of age.
Cristian Martinez, club president and junior urban studies major, encourages everyone to reach out to those with differing backgrounds and values in order to better cultivate a political culture of understanding and respect.
“Be curious. Everyone has their values but I think one question we should ask ourselves is: Why do they value this,” Martinez said. “In tactful manner, and a very kind manner, talk to them. Empathize with them … and definitely go out to vote.”
Tigers for Life declined to comment and Young Conservatives of Texas was not available for an interview.
