Hopkins Votes Hosts Election Day Events to Encourage Students’ Civic Participation: March to the Polls and Election Night Watch Party

By: Cameron Moore

On Election Day, Tuesday, November 5, Johns Hopkins University students gathered at the Beach on JHU’s Homewood Campus, pizza in hand, ready to make their voices heard. Two Hopkins Votes Ambassadors, Arionna Bell and Elizabeth Zuerblis, led about 25 other students in a March to the Polls, hosted by Hopkins Votes, setting off for the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Waverly to cast their ballots in the 2024 election. Over a span of three hours, the Hopkins Votes team greeted roughly 100 JHU students with Hopkins Votes t-shirts and cookies while they waited to cast their own ballot or waited for friends who decided to vote in Maryland.

For some, this was a chance to take part in the democratic process for the first time. The energy was high, as students were eager to have their voices heard. Alumni and community member engagement was strong, with JHU affiliates showing up in force—many wearing Hopkins Votes t-shirts, symbolizing their support for local participation. The enthusiasm was further fueled by the amazing students who came out to support their friends as they voted locally. A special shout-out goes to the election judges, some of whom were Hopkins affiliates themselves!

Hopkins Votes ambassadors leading students across the street to go vote

Upon arriving at the library, the group took a moment to celebrate the occasion with pictures and cheers of “Hop the Vote”! It was a memorable day for those involved, reinforcing the power of student voter participation in shaping the future.

Dr. Emily Agree, a JHU faculty member in the Department of Sociology, and a Maryland Election Protection volunteer with Common Cause, was committed to ensuring that every eligible voter can “cast their ballot without obstruction, confusion, or intimidation.” Across the U.S., volunteers like Dr. Agree played a critical role in monitoring polling places and connecting voters with the assistance they need. Reflecting on her experience, Dr. Agree recalls volunteering as a poll monitor on Election Day at the Waverly Branch library: “I was inspired and moved at both locations to see how many young people were voting for the first time, willing to wait in long lines to register and vote,” she said. “I’m very proud of our students. I hope that they continue to make their voices heard and participate in democracy.”

This march to the polls was more than just a trip to vote—it was a bold demonstration of the power of student engagement in the electoral process, along with all students who voted by mail in their respective states and counties, and those who had the opportunity to vote early.

Students in Hopkins Votes shirts smiling

Nonpartisan Election Night Watch Parties took place later in the day, bringing together students, faculty, and staff to witness some of the pivotal moments of the 2024 presidential election as polls closed around the country. The event, which began at 7 p.m., took place at the Glass Pavilion in Levering Hall, the LaB, and Hopkins Café in the Homewood campus, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere for all in attendance.

As the election results began to roll in, attendees gathered around screens in anticipation, watching the race unfold between incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, as well as races and measures happening at state and local levels. With each new update, the room buzzed with energy, as attendees discussed the potential outcomes and implications of the election.

To bring a festive spirit to the event, Hopkins Votes set up a variety of interactive activities. A photobooth area was available for guests to snap pictures with friends, creating a lighthearted way to capture the moment. In addition, the organizers provided a selection of food and beverages, ensuring that participants were well-fed as they settled in for the long night ahead.

The Hopkins Votes team worked hard to ensure that the evening was not only informative but also enjoyable. The event provided a unique opportunity for members of the Johns Hopkins community to engage with the democratic process, whether they were watching the results closely, enjoying casual conversations, or simply soaking in the atmosphere of a historic election night.

As the night went on and the race continued to tighten, the sense of anticipation only grew, as those in attendance eagerly awaited the results. Despite the uncertainty, the event underscored the importance of civic engagement and the shared commitment to staying informed and involved in the political process.

Many stayed to watch the results, and by the end of the night it was clear that the event had accomplished its goal of fostering a sense of unity within the Johns Hopkins community.

Reflecting on the enthusiasm of the day, Hopkins Votes Ambassador Jacquelyn Slade said, “It was so energizing to see students excited for Election Day. So many students decided to same-day register at JHU that they had a separate line. I was inspired by the high voter turnout from JHU.”

On Thursday, November 7, Hopkins Votes hosted a “Post-Election Space” designed for students to gather, decompress, and reflect after the election season. The event offered a calming atmosphere with refreshments, cozy seating areas, and an open space for students to engage in conversations, relax, or simply take a break from the often-overwhelming news cycle. This initiative was a part of Hopkins Votes’ ongoing commitment to creating supportive and inclusive spaces for the Johns Hopkins University community, and toward next steps to support our students’ ability to continue fostering their commitment to active citizenship.

Group picture of the election night watch party at the Glass Pavilion

In discussing the broader impact of the election season, Luis Sierra Moncion, the Center for Social Concern’s Deputy Director and Director of Hopkins Votes, expressed his pride in the community’s engagement. “I am incredibly grateful and proud of the way the Hopkins community, especially our students, engaged in the process to get educated, registered, and ready to vote. I am eager to continue working earnestly with our team to ensure that the momentum does not end with this past Election Day, but that our students continue their sense of civic agency. This includes not just preparing to vote in the 2026 elections, but also staying civically engaged at every level between every election cycle, starting with our local communities.”

The events of the past week underscored the lasting impact of student activism on the Hopkins campus. With such enthusiasm for voting and civic engagement, it’s clear that the Hopkins Votes team will continue to play a central role in empowering students to participate in the democratic process, both now and in the years to come.

Students filling in United States map blue or red as they watch the election