Dear members of the Dartmouth community,
As we approach the Nov. 5 election, with closely contested races up and down the ballot, we write with ideas about how we can come together as a community to examine, understand, and participate in this important moment in our nation’s history.
VOTE!
We strongly encourage every eligible member of our community to register and cast a ballot; voting is our responsibility to the nation and one another. It is also a simple but profound way each of us can help fulfill Dartmouth’s mission of responsible leadership, putting the intellectual resources of this extraordinary community into action, for the benefit of all.
Visit Dartmouth Votes, which has resources for students, staff, and faculty, including ballot information, key dates, and easy, online options to register to vote in every state. If you plan to vote in New Hampshire, you can register right up to Election Day. Any member of the Dartmouth community can also take free shuttles from various spots on campus and Summit to voting sites. We want to thank the student leaders—including Dartmouth Student Government, The Dartmouth Civics Student Association, and NAACP at Dartmouth—for making these online and transportation resources available, in collaboration with the town of Hanover.
Listen and learn
We also urge all of you to take advantage of opportunities to delve into policy issues, understand the complex politics of our time, and navigate a world of deep partisan divide. Some of these include:
- The Dartmouth Poll
Having an accurate sense of public opinion on a wide range of public policy issues is important, particularly in a modern democracy. This year Dartmouth students and faculty have sought to provide some clarity by seeking to ask a diverse and representative group of adults questions about their electoral preferences, attitudes, views, and levels of participation. Review the most recent poll results and stay tuned for more results on Monday. - Election Dialogues
The Rockefeller Center will host a faculty panel with Jason Barabas, Jennifer Lind, Anna Mahoney, and Brendan Nyhan about the election results, in anticipation of the immediate impact domestically and internationally, and the implications of the results on the Democratic and Republican parties. The panel is scheduled for Nov. 8 from 5 to 6 p.m. in Filene Auditorium. Registration required. - Election Outcomes & Higher Education
The Government and Community Relations team will present on the election outcomes and what it means for higher education. The presentation is scheduled for Nov. 7 from 10:30-11:15 a.m. in the Class of 1953 Commons 061 Sarner Lounge. Registration required. - Jeannie Suk Gersen, the John H. Watson, Jr. Professor of Law at Harvard Law School will talk about the Supreme Court and the future of American democracy on Nov. 12 at 5 p.m. in Filene Auditorium. Registration required.
- Harry Enten ’11, senior political data reporter and the host of CNN’s Margins of Error, will dive into the 2024 election data and polling to answer your questions and explain the results on Nov. 14 at 5 p.m. in Loew Auditorium. Registration required.
Support one another
We recognize that an election this important, and this divided, can be stressful. It’s worth remembering that, as we saw in 2020, it may be many days after Nov. 5 before the results are known, adding to the tension some may experience. Each of us has a choice about how we respond to that uncertainty, and how we channel that energy. Spaces will be available throughout campus at various points during the week of Nov. 5 to process, reflect, break bread, and be in conversation with one another.
As we approach the election and the weeks that follow, we ask you to respond in the Dartmouth way: Take advantage of opportunities to learn, to question, and to listen. Challenge ideas thoughtfully and rigorously, as we give all members of the Dartmouth community our respect, and a measure of grace—understanding that they may be struggling with anxiety, disappointment, and a legitimate concern for the issues that matter most to them. This is one more opportunity to shape the community we want for ourselves and show the world how Dartmouth leads.
With our best wishes,
Dave and Jennifer
David Kotz ’86, Provost
Jennifer Rosales, Senior Vice President