All images taken by Phyllis Graber Jenson/Bates College
Bates College’s official, non-partisan voting effort, coordinated by the Harward Center for Community Partnerships.
Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College
Why We Vote
We must seek to understand the importance of voting in this state and country, while also recognizing that people's social locations will shape different relationships with voting and electoral politics. Why We Vote is our mission to aid students as they develop a relationship with voting. Learn more about the impact of student votes, voter suppression, and more by clicking below.
Voter Information
Everything you need to know to get ready for an election.
COVID-19 Info
The pandemic has made voter registration confusing, but we are here to help you navigate this!
Covid-19, Voter Registration, and Campus Closure Info: Students who had to leave campus suddenly because of closures due to the pandemic are eligible to maintain residency in the state of Maine. This means that if there is an upcoming election in Maine that you want to vote in, you will still be able to vote. If you are already registered, you can request an absentee ballot. Use whatever address you were living at before your campus had to close. If you haven’t registered, you can do so here.
Covid-19 Voter Safety Info: If you are concerned about voter safety at the polls due to the pandemic, we are here to help. During the November 2020 Election, the City of Lewiston had multiple Covid-safety protocols in place including masking policies, access to hand sanitizer, plexiglass dividers, and a system of clean pens so nobody has to touch the same pens. Should the pandemic continue to be a problem in the next election, Lewiston City officials will continue to follow safety protocols. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to email us at batesvotes@bates.edu