Bard Students Take a Field Trip to the Polls

By Lauren Rodgers ‘27

On Tuesday, November 4th, Jonathan Becker and Simon Gilhooley’s politics class, Student Voting: Power, Politics and Race in the Fight for American Democracy, went to cast their votes as a community. Students walked together from their classroom in Barringer House to Bard’s polling site at the Campus Center, where students who are registered to vote in New York State cast their ballots. Both the students and Johnathan Becker were energetic as we walked over— it was evident that voting on campus was a climactic moment for the class, and Professor Becker had even zoomed in students from partner universities to join them as they journeyed to exercise their right. Becker walked excitedly, both backwards and in circles, narrating our walk to the campus center.

I talked to class member Ellen Herlihy ‘26 as she walked. “We have some students joining virtually from across the globe,” said Herlihy, “Jonathan has them on Zoom so they can see what it’s like to vote on a college campus. They’re from all different parts of the world, I think a few students from AUCA and Al-Quds are on the call.” Ellen and I chuckled a bit at Jonathan’s unbridled enthusiasm, but his energy was contagious, creating an eager atmosphere among the entire group, both virtual and in person, to make it to the polling place. “There’s definitely an excited energy here,” I commented to Herlihy. “Yeah, I think it’s specifically coming from Jonathan,” she said with a smile. 

For Herlihy, voting as a class felt like a perfect encapsulation of the class’s objective and their coursework this semester. “The class is all about recognizing that local issues are what make national issues— the ways in which local issues build up. We talk about how voting has evolved on college campuses, and how things like gerrymandering, racial discrimination, and voter suppression have impacted students' abilities to vote. Voting here is easy and makes me feel more connected to our local community,” said Herlihy, who had kept her vote at home for most of college but had recently re-registered. “Election@Bard was tabling one day, so I grabbed a form and filled it out,” said Herlihy, “And Election@Bard mailed it, so I didn't have to worry. It was so simple- and now here I am!” 

As our group neared the campus center, we were met with cheers from volunteers at the Election@Bard table. “I feel like I’m really a part of the Bard community,” commented a student as we entered the Campus Center. Ella Herlihy was the first student in line to vote, followed by Jonathan Becker (who had left the Zoom meeting at this point). A new cluster of students had filed in behind them, waiting to cast their vote. I caught Jonathan, still excited, right before he went to cast his ballot. “Okay, quickly- if you could describe your energy today in three words, what would you say?” I asked. 

Becker smiled and answered without hesitation: “Love local democracy,” and then he headed to the voting booth.

The Annandale Advocate would like to thank Jonathan Becker, Simon Gilhooley, and their entire Voting Rights class for their time.

Post Date: 11-07-2025