Brown Votes is a nonpartisan, University-wide, collective impact initiative committed to fostering democratic participation across campus and beyond.

Voting is one of the most fundamental features of a democracy. College-aged voters account for almost one-third of the eligible voting population, meaning the community at Brown holds significant power in shaping public policy. 

Through student leadership and support from faculty, staff and the Swearer Center for Public Service, Brown Votes facilitates voter registration and education, engages in advocacy, drives independent research and acts as a hub for collaboration with partner campus organizations. Encouraging students and other community members to engage in the democratic process is a nonpartisan activity that aligns with Brown University’s mission of educational and research excellence. Through Brown Votes and other initiatives, Brown promotes civic engagement, including encouraging students to vote in elections and to understand the issues that affect them today and in the future. For those who aren’t eligible to vote or want to do more outside of elections, there are a number of ways to civically engage the community — from local advocacy to volunteer work with a nonprofit.

1. Register to vote, if you are eligible. Brown partners with TurboVote to make sure you always know when elections are happening and have the information you need to vote with confidence.

2. Become a Brown Votes student-group member! This is the best way to get involved with shaping democratic engagement on campus. We meet weekly on Sundays at 6:30 p.m. in the Swearer Center, and new members are always welcome to join us there. Please fill out this interest form and one of our leaders will reach out to you with more information. We would love to see you there!

3. Co-Host a Civic Engagement Training for your class, student organization, or campus center. We host trainings to support your group to understand the full scope of democratic participation and create a plan for your own civic engagement. These usually run about an hour and we work with you to tailor it directly to your group's interests and needs. Send us an email at [email protected] if you’re interested.

4. Follow our work on social media and join our official listserv. Want to support Brown Votes but don’t have the time to be a member? Follow us on Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date on all of our events and subscribe to the Swearer Center newsletter for other weekly updates!

5. Advocacy - there are many ways to support the democratic process beyond voting! Even if you aren’t eligible to vote, there are a number of advocacy organizations both on campus and off engaging critical issues. Some ideas include:

   • Become a Poll Worker: Poll workers ensure the election process runs smoothly. Reach out to your local office of elections to find out if they need volunteers. RI allows all registered voters to volunteer: for more info, go here.

   • Volunteer for a Campaign: Campaigns are always looking for volunteers to engage potential voters over the phone, by text, or in-person. To volunteer with a campaign, you can find their contact information and ways to get involved on a candidate’s website.

   • Practice Engaged Scholarship: There are many opportunities at Brown to connect your education to critical issues both locally and nationally. Consider taking a CBLR course or learn more about Engaged Scholarship through the Swearer Center. 

   • Get involved in your community: Get involved with issues you care about on campus and in your local community. Consider joining protests in your area, calling or emailing elected officials, working with local organizers or nonprofits, and donating your time and/or money to causes you support. For a list of groups on campus, go here.

      

For anything Brown Votes related, please contact the official Brown Votes email: [email protected]. 

For information on university partnerships and Swearer Center-specific involvement, contact Austin Wilson at [email protected].

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