CMU Speaker Series message: Voting is vital

Central Michigan University's Speaker Series will virtually host Rock the Vote at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, via WebEx. The nonpartisan discussion about the importance of voting will include a keynote from Carolyn DeWitt, Rock the Vote's president and executive director.

"We are committed to increasing voter participation at CMU, not only among students but also among our faculty, staff, alumni and friends," said President Bob Davies. "Hosting the Rock the Vote event is just one way we are leveraging our resources to support civic engagement and responsible citizenship."

Interested participants are encouraged to complete an online registration form, which includes an opportunity to submit a question for DeWitt, a nationally recognized advocate for young voters.

"It is a privilege to join CMU one week from Election Day," DeWitt said. "This conversation couldn't come at a more important time and arguably to a more important audience: young people in a key battleground state.

"This is the most consequential election of our lifetime, and young voters have the power to determine the direction of our democracy."

Dewitt has overseen Rock the Vote's resurgence, moving the organization toward an education and issue-first approach with targeted outreach to diverse and marginalized communities.

Rock the Vote is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to building the political power of young people. Since its founding, the organization has processed more than 13 million voter registrations.

Following DeWitt's keynote address, faculty members Scott McNaught from Biology, Spencer Robinson from Finance and Law and Entrepreneurship, and Kyle Scherr from Psychology will participate in a moderated panel discussion.