NEWBERRY — Newberry College’s Sociology Department sponsored its third campus-wide voter registration drive recently for students, faculty, and staff.

The drive registered 26 new voters, primarily from South Carolina. A survey administered before and during the event showed that approximately 85.6 percent of faculty, staff, and students were already registered to vote.

The Sociology Department held a similar voter outreach effort in September, ahead of the 2016 election.

Though the number of new voter registrations is down from the previous drive, Dr. Naomi Simmons said she was pleased with the student response to last week’s initiative.

Simmons, assistant professor of Sociology, said the main focus was to obtain a perspective on active civic participation on campus through the use of surveys. Simmons said she plans to host another voter registration drive at the Fifth Congressional District debate scheduled for April 11 at the Newberry Opera House.

Students were also given the opportunity to learn more about the special election to fill the Fifth Congressional District seat, which was vacated by Mick Mulvaney when he resigned to head the White House’s Office of Management and Budget in February.

A total of 15 candidates have filed to run. April 2 is the registration deadline to be eligible to vote in the Republican and Democratic primaries set for May 2, with a runoff scheduled for May 16, if necessary. Those wishing to vote in the June 20 general election must register on or prior to May 21.

Newberry College’s Sociology Department sponsored its third campus-wide voter registration drive recently for students, faculty, and staff.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_voter-reg3.jpgNewberry College’s Sociology Department sponsored its third campus-wide voter registration drive recently for students, faculty, and staff. Naomi R. Simmons | For The Newberry Observer

This group of Newberry College students helped with the recent voter registration drive held at the college.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_voter-reg1.jpgThis group of Newberry College students helped with the recent voter registration drive held at the college. Naomi R. Simmons | For The Newberry Observer

These students are all smiles as they man a voter registration table on the campus of Newberry College.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_voter-reg2.jpgThese students are all smiles as they man a voter registration table on the campus of Newberry College. Naomi R. Simmons | For The Newberry Observer

By James Salter

For The Newberry Observer