Brandeis Voting News & Events

News, updates and upcoming events.

Latest News

ENACT Your Vote Day of Action

April 4, 2024

Join the ENACT Your Vote Day of Action on Thursday April 4th! Volunteers will be tabling from noon until 2:30 pm at multiple locations on campus to help peoiple sign up for voting and civic engagement reminders with ENACT Your Vote and to register and make a plan to vote if eligible. Come get snacks and ENACT Your Vote and VoteDeis swag – and join ENACT Your Vote to earn points for Brandeis prizes!

Sponsored by ENACT Your Vote, the VoteDeis Campus Coalition, and the Community Engagement Ambassador Program.

Volunteer to help out!

Join Brandeis ENACT Your Vote to earn points!

Make Your Vote Count - A Voting Rights Discussion

January 18, 2024

Flyer for Make Your Vote count event 1-18-2024"Make Your Vote Count! A Voting Rights Discussion" was led by policy experts from Common Cause, MassVote, and Brandeis: Prof. Zachary Albert of the Brandeis University Politics Department; Marisol Santiago, Policy and Organizing Director for MassVOTE; and Aaron Scherb, Senior Director of Legislative Affairs for Common Cause.

This event was funded by the ENACT Educate & Advocate Grant and the Brenda Meehan Social Justice in Action Grant, and was cosponsored by ENACT: The Educational Network for Active Civic Transformation, the VoteDeis Campus Coalition, the Brandeis University Student Union, Brandeis Democrats, and Brandeis University Young Americans for Liberty.

View a video of the conversation and read more about the event here

Maia Lefferman ‘25 connects Brandeis University’s VoteDeis Coalition with college-based nonpartisan voter engagement efforts in greater Boston through her representation and work with Boston Votes. During the past few years, Boston Votes has held summits to gather the students, faculty, and staff across the coalition to continue strengthening student and campus voter participation efforts.

Gold Seal Award showing 70 - 79% voter participation

January 24, 2022

“Voter Participation Earns Brandeis National Gold Seal Recognition:" The VoteDeis Campus Coalition, organized by Leigh Swigart and David Weinstein of the Ethics Center in collaboration with the Office of the Dean of Students, helped Brandeis achieve high levels of participation in the 2020 presidential election.

November

Free Shuttle to Local Polling Station!

November 3, 2020

9 a.m.-7 p.m.

The Brandeis Student Union is offering a free shuttle to Brandeis's local polling station. It will be leaving every 30 minutes from the Admissions bus stop!

Available to all Brandeis students, faculty, and staff, we want everyone in our community to get to the polls and vote! Don't forget your mask and a valid form of ID just in case! Please note that your passport must be green or yellow to use the shuttle.

Drop off location will be Nathaniel at Banks SQ Condominiums polling station. Free to all Brandeis students, faculty, and staff! Let us know when you are planning on using this resources by filling out the Google form.

Election Night Mindful Moment

November 3, 2020

8-8:15 p.m. | Virtual

Take a mindful moment on election night with HAWP to do 15 minutes of breathing and centering while we wait for the election results to come in.

Election Night Watch Parties

November 3, 2020

7-11 p.m. | Shapiro Campus Center (SCC) Theater 

Come to this space to have some conversation with all members of our community and reflect on the results as they come in. Hosted by Dean Jamele Adams and Jessica Basile and Steve Weglinski from Graduate Student Affairs.

Election Night Watch Parties

November 3, 2020

8-11 p.m.
Location(s): There will be a virtual option, as well more info to come for each area's link.

Each residential area will have group viewing available for up to 25 persons at one time. The following Locations open for viewing include Shapiro Lounge, Polaris Lounge, Ridgewood Commons, Skyline Commons, and Charles River Commons.

Waltham Virtual Community Gathering

November 3, 2020

8-10 p.m.

Lets connect — get to know some of your neighbors! We will have trivia w/ prizes, breakout rooms with guided meditation/stretching, more TBD.

Facebook Event

"Positive Youth Development in Times of Crisis" for Staff

November 4, 2020

Noon-1 p.m. | Virtual

Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and post-election resources requires educators to provide effective and intentional student-focused support. Akané Kousaka, LICSW, will review key elements of the Positive Youth Development framework and share approaches on supporting students in times of crisis. Participants will understand identity as a strength, not a risk factor, and adapt student-centered approaches to our current moment.

Debrief Circles

November 4, 2020

These spaces will be held for community to come and discuss their feelings and reflections about the Presidential election. All members of the community are welcome to attend. Spaces will be staffed by staff including Brandeis counseling team members.  

  • Noon
    • Shapiro Campus Center (SCC) Multipurpose Room: Facilitated by Alex Rossett, Dean of Students/Student Rights and Community Standards and Rachael MacKnight, Brandeis Counseling Center
    • Virtual: Facilitated by Rev. Matt Carriker, Center for Spiritual Life and Jessica Basile, Graduate Student Services
    • Register
  • 5 p.m.
    • SCC Multipurpose Room: Facilitated by Lara Ericson, Center for Spiritual Life and Raymond Ou, Student Affairs  
    • Virtual: Facilitated by Leah Berkenwald, Health and Wellness Promotions and Vino Murugesan, English Language Programs 
    • Register
  • 6 p.m.
    • For Women of Color: Virtually facilitated by Monique Gnanaratnam, Dean of Students and Sucheta Tehkkedam, Brandeis Counseling Center
      Register
    • For Men of Color: Virtually facilitated by Jamele Adams, Dean of Students and Dr. Martin Pierre, Brandeis Counseling Center
      Register
  • 7 p.m. 
    • SCC Multipurpose Room: Facilitated by Ari Massefski, Study Abroad and Raymond Ou, Student Affairs
    • Virtual: Facilitated by Maria Madison, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Don Greenstein, University Ombuds and Joy von Steiger, Brandeis Counseling Center
    • Register
Special Open Mic

November 4, 2020

8 p.m.

Debrief Circles

November 5, 2020

10 a.m. | Virtual

These spaces will be held for community to come and discuss their feelings and reflections about the Presidential election. All members of the community are welcome to attend. Spaces will be staffed by staff including Brandeis counseling team members.

Facilitated by Jessica Basile, Graduate Student Services and Vino Murugesan, English Language Program

Register

Debrief Circles

November 6, 2020

These spaces will be held for community to come and discuss their feelings and reflections about the Presidential election. All members of the community are welcome to attend. Spaces will be staffed by staff including Brandeis counseling team members.

  • 10 a.m.
    • Virtual: Facilitated by Vino Murugesan, English Language Programs and Rachael Elliot, International Students and Scholars Office
    • Register
  • Noon
    • SCC Multipurpose Room: Facilitated by Jamele Adams, Dean of Students and Jodi Hanelt, International Students and Scholars Office
    • Skyline Common Room: For BIPOC and LGBTQIA community: Facilitated by Lauren Haynie, Athletics and Tim Touchette, Community Living
    • Virtual: Facilitated by Jessica Basile, Graduate Student Services, Lucas Malo, Community Service, and Rachel Benjamin, International Students and Scholars
    • Register
  • 5 p.m.
    • Shapiro Campus Center Multipurpose Room: Facilitated by Andrea Dine, Student Affairs and Raymond Ou, Student Affairs
    • Virtual: Facilitated by Ashley Trebisacci, Study Abroad and Michael Matt, Athletics
    • Register
  • 7 p.m.
    • Chumley's Coffeehouse: Facilitated by Stephanie Grimes, Dean of Students and Charlie McBurney
    • Virtual
    • Register
Careers in Government, Public Policy, and Social Causes

November 6, 2020

2-3 p.m.

Turn your post-election energy into action — find opportunities in government, public policy, and for social causes. With over 32% of Brandeis graduates entering fields of service including government, nonprofit and public health, Brandeis has a deep alumni network and resources to get you started! Join us to talk about how to start researching and finding internships and jobs.

GSC First Fridays: Netflix Party!

November 6, 2020

Time: 6-8 p.m.

A space to relax and build community via a film screening hosted by GSC student workers. More info on Instagram @brandeis_gsc.

Debrief Circles

November 10, 2020

  • 10 a.m.
    • Virtual: Facilitated by Anna Shur-Wilson, International Business School and PeiNing Lo-Bromberg, Brandeis Counseling Center
    • Register
  • Noon
    • SCC Multipurpose Room: Ari Massefski, Office of Study Abroad
    • Skyline Common Room: Monique Pillow Gnanaratnam, Dean of Students Office, Dr. Colleen Collins, Brandeis Health Center and Stefan Jadaszewki, Brandeis Counseling Center
    • Virtual: Facilitated by Mai Dewees, Graduate Student Services, Katie Dunn, Academic Services, and Alisha Cardwell, Study Abroad
    • Register
  • 5 p.m.
    • SCC Multipurpose Room: Facilitated by Raymond Ou, Student Affairs and Lusi Wang, Community Living
    • Virtual: Facilitated by Dennis Hicks, Student Activities and Don Greenstein, Ombuds
    • Register
  • 7 p.m. 
    • SCC Multipurpose Room: Facilitated by Stephanie Grimes, Dean of Students and Amy Scobie Carroll, Brandeis Counseling Center
    • Virtual: Facilitated by Leah Berkenwald, Health and Wellness Promotion and Dvora Pemstein, Student Affairs
    • Register
It's Reigning Men: Toxic Masculinity and Hypermachoism of American Presidents

November 12, 2020

8-9:30 p.m.

Join PARC for a screening of the documentary "The Man Card: White Male Identity Politics from Nixon to Trump" on Zoom. Throughout the screening, we will discuss how White male identity politics and a culture of toxic masculinity reinforce oppression and privilege, leading to high rates of violence, discrimination, and harassment in politics and beyond.

Building Community, Sharing Meals: Across the Virtual Divide (a People's Supper)

November 13, 2020

Noon | Virtual

September

National Voter Registration Day

September 22, 2020

11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Sept. 22 is National Voter Registration Day! With less than five weeks until Election Day, it is time to make sure your voice will be heard! Join us outside the Shapiro Campus Center from to register, request an absentee ballot, make a voting plan, and have all of your questions answered!

If you are worried about making sure your vote is counted this November, we can give you the forms, stamps, and confidence to make it happen!

First Presidential Debate Watch Party

September 29, 2020

9 p.m.

Come join VoteDeis and your fellow Brandeis students as we watch the first 2020 presidential debate. We will be safely gathered in the big tent on the Great Lawn, as well as in the Shapiro Campus Center (SCC) Theater. If you can't be with us in person, tune in to our virtual option, so we can still experience the debate together.

October

Notarizing Ballots Day @ the Library

October 6, 2020

10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Stop by the Library to get your ballot notarized

What do you need to know about Notarizing Ballots?

  • Aimee Slater = Notarizer. She will not charge for this service and is happy to notarize other paperwork as well.
  • Please email Aimee Slater to let her know you are interested in getting your absentee ballot notarized.
  • Bring the following items with you:
    • A photo ID with a signature (driver's license, state ID, passport etc.)
    • The unsigned documents
  • States that require notarizing vote by mail ballots:
    • Alaska, Alabama, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and South Dakota
  • For more Information on why notarizing ballots is important, please go to National Notary Bulletin
Chalk the Vote 2020

October 14, 2020

Noon-4 p.m. | Fellows Garden

Make your mark and contribute to a collaborative sidewalk mural that reminds Brandeis to get out the vote. Sponsored by Arts Engagement in alignment with the VoteDeis Initiative.

Selma 1965 and November 2020: The Right and the Mitzvah to Vote with Rabbi Saul Berman

October 20, 2020

7:30-8:30 p.m. | Zoom

Join us for an evening of learning about the value of voting with Rabbi Saul Berman. Rabbi Berman will share wisdom from a lifetime as a civil rights activist, supporter of Soviet Jewry, and as an educator.

Stein Night: Pre-debate Gathering

October 22, 2020

6-7 p.m. | Zoom

Weekly virtual Stein Night, hosted by the GSA

Third and Final Presidential Debate Watch Party

October 22, 2020

9-11 p.m.

Come join VoteDeis and your fellow Brandeis students as we watch the third and final 2020 presidential debate Oct. 2 at 9 p.m. We will be safely gathered in Schwartz 101, as well as in the SCC Theater. If you can't be with us in person, tune in to our virtual option, so we can still experience the debate together.

The Supreme Court and the Future of Equality: A Conversation with Anita Hill

October 26, 2020

Noon-1 p.m.

Student-led conversation with Professor Anita Hill moderated by Professor Jill Greenlee. The conversation will focus on the future of equality and the U.S. Supreme Court in the wake of the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett to the Court.

Elections 2020 Conversations with the Dean of the Heller School: The Act of Democracy

October 27, 2020

5-6 p.m.

A discussion of democratic participation, civic engagement, and voting access in advance of Election Day.

President Ron Liebowitz and Tom Friedman ‘75 H’88 in Conversation: “Thinking Ahead to the Presidential Election”

October 29, 2020

4:30-5:30 p.m.

Please join Brandeis University President Ron Liebowitz for a conversation and Q&A with Tom Friedman '75, H'88, award-winning author and New York Times columnist.

Notorious RBG: Documentary Watch Party

October 29, 2020

6-8 p.m. | Virtual

An opportunity to learn about and honor the life of Justice Ginsburg, and to talk about issues facing our country today.

"What Would a Biden Presidency Mean for US-Israel Relations?" with Michael Koplow

October 29, 2020

7-7:50 p.m.

Join us for a conversation about what a Biden administration could mean for U.S.-Israel relationships, and how that compares to what the Trump administration has done over the last four years. Alumni Michael Kopolow is the policy director of the Israel Policy Forum and a senior researcher at the Shalom Hartman Institute.

Elections, Rational Choice and the Paradox of Voting

October 30, 2020

4-5 p.m. | Virtual

Philosophy dept UDRs are holding a "Socrates Cafe" on the seeming irrationality of voting and why people should vote. Contact jessicawei@brandeis.edu for link.