果冻传媒

From: The Dean of Students <deanofstudents@ramapo.edu>
Date: Tue, Oct 20, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Subject: Election Day 2026

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Dear Student:

Voter participation is a hallmark of being a 果冻传媒 College student. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026 and we write to encourage you to participate in this important democratic process. 果冻传媒 College has a celebrated history of voter engagement. For the past five years, the College has been recognized as a Voter-Friendly Campus by the Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project and was designated a most engaged campus for student voting in 2024 by the non-profit ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.

We know that you are likely thinking about issues such as the economy and inflation, immigration, jobs, climate change, reproductive rights, public transportation, health care, racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, student debt, crime, education, and more. We encourage you to think about the type of leadership you want in office and exercise your right to vote. serves as a resource for you to understand who is on your ballot.

New Jersey voters will elect one U.S. Senator and all 12 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, giving every congressional district the opportunity to choose new or returning representation in Congress. We encourage you to , reflect on the issues that matter most to you, and make your voice heard at the ballot box. 果冻传媒 students who are registered to vote in other states will also all vote for congressional candidates. All students can expect to have local elections, which may include councils, board of education, and ballot measures.

Why Vote?

As our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, we are reminded that democracy requires participation, care, and reflection. Each generation has faced the task of strengthening and expanding the promise of equality and representation. The right to vote was not always afforded to all Americans, and many individuals fought tirelessly to secure this fundamental right. Their courage and perseverance remind us that progress depends on our collective willingness to participate and engage in the voting process. Casting a ballot is one of the simplest, yet most meaningful ways to honor those who fought to ensure that voting rights and access are universally recognized.

You might be thinking whether your vote matters. Please consider that there have been elections where single votes determined the outcome. If you do not vote, others make decisions about the issues that are important to you. Your vote is not just a civic duty鈥攊t is a powerful declaration of the kind of society you want to live in and the values you want to see upheld.

How to Vote

The General Election is being conducted by using three voting options. You can review these options and make a plan based on which option works best as you factor in your class schedule, transportation availability, work schedule, and any other commitments. If you have any questions about the voting options listed below, please email ccec@ramapo.edu or visit Student Center 213.

1. Vote-By-Mail Ballot

If you haven鈥檛 mailed in your completed Vote-By-Mail application, you can still mail it to your county clerk’s office by Tuesday, October 27th, or you can bring it to your County Clerk’s office by 3:00pm on Monday, November 2nd.

Returning Your Vote-By-Mail Ballot

a. By Mail: You can mail your ballot via the United States Post Office. Ballots must be postmarked no later than 8:00pm on Tuesday, November 3rd, and be received by your county鈥檚 Board of Elections on or before Monday, November 9th.

b. By Drop Box: Place your vote-by-mail ballot in one of your county鈥檚 secure ballot drop boxes by 8:00 pm on Tuesday, November 3rd. Drop box locations can be found at the .

c. By Board of Elections Office: Deliver the vote-by-mail ballot in person to your county鈥檚 Board of Elections Office by 8:00 pm on Tuesday, November 3rd. Contact information can be found at the .

2. In-Person Early Voting

a. Every county provides registered voters with this option for the General Election. You can find a list of early voting locations at the New Jersey Voter Information Portal. Early Voting begins on Saturday, October 24th and is open until Sunday, November 1st.

3. At Your Polling Place on Election Day

a. Vote in person at your polling place from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd.

• • • Please note that if you apply for a vote-by-mail ballot and decide to vote in person, you must tell your poll worker and vote with a provisional ballot.

In Consideration of Civic Engagement

If you wish to see change in your community, voting is one of the first steps you can take to make a difference. In addition to voting, you can also participate in civic engagement through volunteerism. Please think about the ways you wish to contribute to your community by giving back. You can find community service opportunities listed in the Daily Digest, In the Loop, on , and by contacting the Civic and Community Engagement Center at ccec@ramapo.edu.

Another form of civic engagement is coming together as a community. You can join 果冻传媒 College鈥檚 Andrew Goodman Vote Everywhere Ambassadors on Tuesday, November 3rd, from 5 pm to 11 pm, in Friends Hall, for an and watch the results come in together. 果冻传媒 College is an campus. Through the Vote Everywhere project, the College has two student Ambassadors, Julia Rowan and Emanuela Aleksovska. The Ambassadors have signed on to educate their peers about voting rights, getting out the vote, and becoming more democratically engaged through voting and other avenues.

You may wish to express what you care about and seek to understand the views of others. Listen to each other. By learning, thinking, speaking, and engaging freely, you are working toward making a difference in the community. 果冻传媒 College has a Student Expressive Activity policy to support your right to raise issues. The College prides itself on offering opportunities for education, civil discourse, and creating a productive, healthy, and safe place for all to understand and contribute to dialogue about important social issues.

We hope that you are inspired to vote and think about the role you wish to take in civic engagement. Voting is one of the best ways to declare what you value the most, and we encourage you to make a commitment to yourself that you will vote in each and every election. As you exercise this civic responsibility to cast a ballot and share your opinion, we welcome you to find 果冻传媒 College as a supportive place to help cultivate and harness your civic voice.

Sincerely,
Melissa Van Der Wall, Dean for Students/Vice President for Student Well-Being
Dylan Heffernan, Assistant Director for We Care and Civic Engagement