U.S. Election Information and Resources

Dear Emersonians,

With early voting underway and the U.S. election day approaching on Tuesday, November 5, we are reaching out with relevant information and resources. The below is shared for students, staff, and faculty who plan to vote, as well as to support our collective well-being through the election’s outcomes.  

Voting 

The College has created several opportunities that help members of our community to participate. 

To support your readiness: 

• The final Drop-In/Table session on voter registration and voting requirements will be Tuesday, October 29, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., in the 172 Tremont lobby. 
• Here are the state-wide ballot measures for Massachusetts, as well as California, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

On election day, November 5: 

• Students who have in-person courses and must use class time to vote should communicate with their instructors/faculty members in advance. Please see the College’s student attendance policy. 

• Faculty who teach on election day have the option of holding  their classes as normal or offering asynchronous and pre-scheduled learning experiences.

• The College provides up to two hours of paid time off for employees to vote in a national government election, if requested two business days in advance. Voting leave applies to regular full-time, regular part-time, and temporary employees. 

Please also familiarize yourself with the specific limits on political activity related to the College, due to our status as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. 

Community Connection on Election Day

• Boston (ET)
  • 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Self-Care Tabling – Dining Hall
  • 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.: Protect Your Peace: Vision Boards & Tea – Cultural Center
  • 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Election Trivia – 172 Tremont, lobby
  • 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Beyond the Binary: Gender Identity Support – Walker 229
  • 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.: Election Watch Party – Bordy Theatre
• Los Angeles (PST)
  • 7 p.m.- 10 p.m: Election Watch Party & Craft Night – Bordy
• Kasteel Well (CET)
  • Wednesday, November 6, 1 a.m. – 6 a.m.: Discussion followed by Election Watch Party with comfort food and hot beverages – The Barn

Promoting Well-being

We know that many members of our community may feel excited or anxious through the election season. You are not alone. A recent article in Inside HigherEd highlighted this concern. 

As a College, we understand that elected officials carry the responsibility of setting policies that shape our lives. That comes with many heightened emotions that can make our community members feel vulnerable, especially those who have been dehumanized.

In addition to the election-day events, the College will host non-partisan reflection and connection spaces on the Boston campus on Wednesday, November 6, the day after the election. More details will be shared in the coming days about these resources, designed to give our community opportunities to process the results, which may not be certain by that time.

If you or someone you know needs support in processing thoughts and feelings around the election, we want to remind you of resources that are available, including:

• For All Emersonians: Healing & Advocacy Collective, and the Emerson Concern Center.
• Student-specific: Counseling Services, UWill
• Employee-specific: Employee Assistance Program

No matter the outcome of the elections, please show care to one another. Our diverse community includes people across a range of political beliefs, which is a choice and right we are each entitled to, and that plurality is our strength.

Sincerely,

Alex Socarides, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Christie Anglade, Interim Vice President and Dean of Campus Life
Jamie Montgomery-Hyde, Chief Human Resource Officer