Voting Week 2021 is here! Check out our lineup of virtual events to commemorate an election year that reimagines the role of civic engagement. Learn more about Voting Week.
Please note that Columbia University does not support or oppose political campaigns and the opinions expressed are not those of the University.
Opening Keynote Address by Jarrell Daniels
Sunday, September 26, 2:00–3:00 PM EDT
Jarrell Daniels, Justice Ambassadors Youth Council Program Manager, will open Voting Week 2021 with the first keynote address. Jarrell will speak on the transformative power of education as a tool to achieve justice. His address will be followed by an interactive Q & A.
Register for this event here.
Second Keynote Address by Beto O’Rourke
Monday, September 27, 11:00–11:30 AM EDT
Beto O'Rourke, former U.S. Representative from Texas, 2018 candidate for the U.S. Senate, and 2020 presidential candidate, will deliver the second keynote address. In his address, Beto will discuss recent voter suppression and anti-abortion legislation in Texas, and how we can move forward. His speech will be followed by a Q & A.
Register for this event here.
Building Global Solidarity
Monday, September 27, 6:00–7:30 PM EDT
With a focus on Asia, panelists will discuss the international and human rights concerns they have in China and Tibet and how we can work to build solidarity across the globe. After a moderated panel, a Q&A will follow.
Register for this event here.
A History of Mutual Aid and Community Care
Tuesday, September 28, 6-7 PM EDT
Join us for a teach-in with Native Activist Charitie Ropati (CC '23) about the history of community care and mutual aid in marginalized communities, specifically Native tribes in Alaska. We encourage all students interested in local organizing and community activism to attend.
Register for this event here.
Ranked Choice Voting: Panel and Simulation
Wednesday September 29, 12:00–1:00 PM EDT
Join us for a panel featuring three experts on ranked choice voting, including Barnard professor Michael Miller and Rank the Vote NYC organizers, Debbie Louis and Luke Hayes. After hearing from each speaker about their differing stances on questions related to ranked choice voting, there will be a simulation for event attendees to put what they learn into practice.
Register for this event here.
Creative Changemakers
Wednesday, September 29, 6:00–7:15 PM EDT
Meet a panel of talented artists as they discuss their work and its intersection with advocacy and issues of political relevance. The panelists include Associate Professor at the Art Institute of Chicago and social practice artist, Aram Han Sifuentes, Assistant Professor at The New School and creative technologist, Marisa Jahn, photographer and filmmaker, Cat Del Buono, and filmmaker, film critic, and graduate student at Columbia, Aisha Amin. The panel will be followed by a Q&A session.
Register for this event here.
Politics Between the Polls: Democracy in the Workplace
Thursday, September 30, 7:00–8:00 PM EDT
Join us for a discussion of labor organizing as civic engagement outside of voting, as well as a sphere of democratic participation often overlooked in the United States.The discussion will be led by Columbia’s own Matt Mazewski, a PhD Candidate in Economics, and an organizer with GWC-UAW Local 2110. We encourage all students interested in labor organizing, the Columbia University graduate student union, and the broader politics of labor in the United States to attend and participate in a Q&A session.
Register for this event here.
Closing Address by Marti Allen-Cummings
Friday, October 1, 12:00–1:00 PM EDT
For our final keynote event, drag political activist Marti Cummings will discuss the politics of drag, focusing on why drag is inherently political. Following Marti's speech, there will be an interactive Q & A with the audience.
Register for this event here.