A Voice Too Important To Silence

Dear students, faculty and staff,

As you know, 2020 is an election year. It is a year in which Americans will choose the nation’s president and vice president, as well as cast votes in an array of state and local contests.

I implore you to register to vote, educate yourself about all of these elections, and then vote as you see fit, because your vote is truly your voice – a voice far too valuable to ever lose. I know what it looks like when a voice that was once lost is regained. During my days as a student, I was present in Chile as it transitioned from a dictatorship to a democracy. I was deeply moved to see people stand in line, for hours on end, to again speak for themselves through the ballot box and vote for the first time in nearly two decades.

To this day, I vote in every election I can, and I plan to do so again on Nov. 3. I’ll wear a mask and stand in a socially distanced line on Election Day. I encourage you to vote however it works best for you – by mail, early, or on Nov. 3.

While classes will be in session on Election Day, please remember that Shenandoah will be flexible. So, if you need to attend a class asynchronously because you’re in line to vote, or need some time to work the polls, Shenandoah is fully behind you. The university’s core values of compassion, responsibility, advocacy and justice are all part of being an active citizen.

Please take this opportunity to speak up and speak out. Vote.

Tracy