Brigit Len Tabuena

You’re only here for a few years, and you’ve got a midterm next Tuesday.

WHY VOTE?

It’s not all politics. It’s riding in a van, learning about Brunswick, getting a sticker and making your voice heard. Just last year, a Brunswick Town Council Race was decided by a single vote. What if that was yours?

Here are five reasons Bowdoin Votes thinks YOU should vote on Tuesday, November 3:

1) The Van:

Get off campus with the VOTE MOBILE™! Who doesn’t want an opportunity to ride in a 12-passenger van for a change of pace? Bowdoin Votes makes it easy. During a short but scenic 10-minute drive to Brunswick Recreation Center (220 Neptune Drive, Brunswick), you’ll pass some of the landing’s famous sites from the Bath Road Dunkin’ Donuts to Wild Oats. Rather bike? Join Bowdoin Sustainability for a bike to the polls leaving at 2:45 p.m. from Moulton Circle.

Vans will shuttle to and from the polls every 15 minutes from Moulton Circle, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov 3. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

2) The Polls:

What will I do when I get there? There is nobody more helpful than the Brunswick poll volunteers. You’ll be greeted with a chorus of smiles, directions and if you’re lucky, a compliment. Don’t be scared to offer one back. Registered? Walk up to the table, give your name and dorm address and grab your ballot.

Didn’t register? Maine has same day registration! Bring your OneCard and the last four digits of your social security number. 

3) The Ballot:

Do you ever just miss a scantron? Reminisce on Election Day with a BIC pen. This is your time to learn about what’s going on in Brunswick. Read through one of our local voter guides on the way over or look candidates up while filling out your ballot (you can use your phone!). Maine uses ranked choice voting, so you can choose your candidates in order, rather than one or the other. More bubbles to fill!

Check your email or stop by the Bowdoin Votes table on Election Day for more information on your ballot. 

4) The Sticker:

Let’s be honest. Aren’t we all just voting for the sticker? Wear it for the day as a subtle flex or add it to your water bottle and memorialize your civic engagement. The opportunities are endless—and don’t worry, Bowdoin Votes has brand new stickers to offer! But understand that the sticker is more than a memento. It’s a reminder for the people around you to vote, and a beacon of collective participation.

Tell your friends and text your roommates. Voting is fun, but it’s also effective—if we all do it. Wear your sticker and rep your voice with pride. 

5) The Impact:

But does your vote even matter? In short, yes. Maine is a battleground state, and the results of the Senate election could shift national decision making. Closer to home, in the 2024 Maine House elections, 15 races were decided by less than 200 votes, 8 by less than 100, 6 by less than 50 and 3 by less than 25 votes. That’s one college house, or just 35.7 percent of the football team.

You have the power to make a difference. Vote, and feel satisfied knowing that you did. 

If you’re looking for an excuse, good luck; you’ll have to keep searching.

Registered in another state and not voting there anymore, or forgot to return an absentee ballot? 

You can still register in Maine on the same day.

Not sure what’s on the ballot? 

Bowdoin Votes has a one-page ballot guide with the statewide and local elections that you can read as you wait for the van or even in the voting booth.

Don’t know your Brunswick residential address? 

We’ll have lists at our Moulton Circle table and in the vans so you can refresh yourself before you head in.

Bowdoin Votes is excited to greet you next Tuesday at Moulton Circle from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with new sticker designs, Munchkins, warm drinks and plenty of information to make voting as quick and easy as possible. We’ll see you then.

Caroline Clinton ’27 and Amelia Kane ’27 are program coordinators for Bowdoin Votes.