Boise State invites you to take part in this year’s election by attending any of the events listed below (updated as of Wednesday, Oct. 28), or accessing resources available for the campus community.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Go vote!
Your guide for election 2020 campus events and resources
Election 2020 Events
Panel Discussion: Election 2020: Challenges and Predictions
Many important questions remain about the 2020 election. During an upcoming panel discussion, four Boise State political scientists will examine the issues and offer their predictions for the race, including voting rights and processes, polling, electoral context, women voters, and race.
The discussion will take place via Zoom from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29.
Panelists include: Jaci Kettler, who will address voting rights and women voters in the 2020 election; Steve Utych, who will address race in politics and a time of partisanship and polarization; Jeff Lyons, who will address polls (and can we trust them), the urban/rural divide, and the possibility of the suburbs trending democratic; Charlie Hunt, who will address the election prognosis for Congress – and specific Senate races that are a must-watch – and the party splits formed on issues such as COVID and mail in voting.
Attendees are encouraged to bring questions.
The event is free, but registration is required. Click here to register for the Election 2020 Panel Discussion.
Conviction and Conversation in Contested Times
Boise State will host a panel of bi-partisan leaders to address “Conviction and Conversation in Contested Times.” The discussion will take place via Zoom from noon-1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30.
We hardly need reminding that convictions run high and that we live in contested times. That’s because, as universities contend, ideas matter. Our panelists have spent their careers navigating just how much ideas matter while convening legislative, judicial, and civic conversation in service to the public. Calling them together and hearing their stories provides real-world examples of how differing ideas sometimes coalesced into compromise, sometimes created new solutions, and sometimes remained in tension.
Panelists include: Senator Abby Lee, Senator Cherie Buckner-Webb, Speaker Scott Bedke, Judge Sergio Gutierrez and the Mayor of Idaho Falls Rebecca Casper. The panel will be moderated by Andrew Finstuen.
The event is free, but registration is required.
Fridays with Frank Webinar: Elections Have Consequences
The Frank Church Lecture Series presents a timely webinar from 10-11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30.
The online webinar features Donna Edwards, a former Democratic congresswoman who served five terms as Maryland’s first African American woman in Congress. She served on the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure; Standards and Official Conduct; and Science, Space and Technology. She also was a member of the Democratic leadership team as co-chair of the House Democrat’s Steering and Policy Committee; and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Previously, she served as the executive director of the National Network to End Domestic Violence and of the Center for a New Democracy. Currently she is a contributor to MSNBC.
Her counterpart is former Republican Congressman Dennis Ross. He served four terms from Florida’s 15th Congressional District following eight years in the Florida State House of Representatives. Ross served on the House Committee on Financial Services. After leaving Congress, he joined Southeastern University as a Distinguished Professor and the Director of the American Center for Political Leadership; and became of counsel to the Ross Law Firm. Currently he serves as a Board Member of the Association of Former Members of Congress.
Larry LaRocco also will speak. LaRocco served two terms as U.S. Representative from Idaho’s First District, where he was on the House Banking and the Interior Committees. Previously he was North Idaho Field Director for Senator Church. Subsequent to Congress, he was a managing director of the American Bankers Association and founder of LaRocco and Associates. He serves on the boards of the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress where he was president; and the Frank Church Institute.
The event is free, but registration is required.
Navigating a Crazy Election Day
If the rest of 2020 is any indication, Election Day 2020 is going to be a wild ride. Information – and mis-information – will be flying fast on traditional and social media. Reports and rumors from across the country are bound to stoke uncertainty and concern. It has never been more important to know what to look for, where to look for it, and how to parse all the information coming at you.
To help us all get through the day with our sanity intact, the City Club of Boise has asked some experts in national journalism, political science and media literacy to help share their advice and insight at a live, virtual conversation at 12 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2.
Join NPR national cultural and political correspondent Kirk Siegler, Northwest Nazarene University political scientist Steve Shaw and Boise State communications professor Seth Ashley as they share how they plan to navigate election day themselves, and offer their perspective on the best ways you can evaluate and understand what you are seeing and hearing on election day.
The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Click here to register for Navigating a Crazy Election Day.
Election Day! Go vote!
The ExtraMile Arena will be a polling location on Election Day, Nov. 3. Students or other members of the community can find their polling location by entering their address on the Ada County elections web site.
A number of locations in Ada County will host early from Oct. 13-30. Information on fixed and mobile early voting locations can also be found on the Ada County web page. Early voting locations are open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. All locations are closed on Sunday.
Ada County also has published guidelines for safely voting in-person during the COVID-19 pandemic and these guidelines will be followed at ExtraMile Arena Nov. 3.
Faculty and Staff Fireside Chat
Human Resources is hosting a “Fireside Chat” on Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 11 a.m.-noon. The discussion will include HR updates, an election reflection with Dr. Mike Cutler of University Counseling Services, and a Q&A to follow. Sign up here.
Processing the Election
Looking for a space to process the election? Find community with students and staff from the Student Equity and Gender Equity Centers. Facilitated by Dr. Mike Cutler of University Counseling Services.
The time will be announced soon, and the link will be shared day of. Sign up will be available on Engage.
The Political is Personal: An Election Debrief for Faculty
The Center for Teaching and Learning invites you to join a (virtual) space for reflection, community care and dialogue around moving forward. The conversation will run from 12-2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5.
We recognize that some people may not be able to attend the entire time. Please come as you are able and go as needed.
You can be a part of the election day debrief conversation here.
“What Happens Next?” Post-Election Conversation
The Student Involvement and Leadership Center is coordinating a student gathering and conversation on current events, the presidential election, the state of our divided nation, and the role of the university in facilitating civil discourse and dialogue. It will occur 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, in the Hatch Ballroom, Student Union Building. A synchronous virtual attendance option will be available.
The event is open to all students. RSVP here.
As a result of attending the “What Happens Next?” election conversation, students will reflect upon and process their emotions and thoughts during this tumultuous time; participate in dialogue with peers on the election and current state of affairs in our nation; and learn how to engage in civil discourse with someone even if there is significant disagreement.
Faculty and Staff Fireside Chat: Post Election Processing
Faculty and staff are invited to virtually join Dr. Mike Cutler of University Counseling Services for an election reflection session on Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 11 a.m.-noon. If you are looking for a space to process the election, you can find community with fellow staff. Sign up here.
Election 2020 Resources
Boise State Health Services offers a list of counselors who are BIPOC/LGBTQ+ specific therapists in the Boise area.
You can access the list list of BIPOC / LGBTQ+ Counselors here.
Living, learning, and working at a university can be stressful and sometimes the reason behind someone who is disruptive, threatening or irrational.
CARE stands for Campus Assessment Resource and Education and provides assistance to the university community to help assess and find solutions for managing distressing, disturbing, disruptive, and potentially dangerous behaviors.
CARE has an online reporting system to ease reporting and increase responsiveness to situations of concern. Click here to learn more about CARE and how to submit an alert.
The ExtraMile Arena will be a polling location on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2020. Students or other members of the community can find their polling location by entering their address on the Ada County elections web site.
A number of locations in Ada County will host early from Oct. 13-30. Information on fixed and mobile early voting locations can also be found on the Ada County web page. Early voting locations are open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. All locations are closed on Sunday.
Ada County also has published guidelines for safely voting in-person during the COVID-19 pandemic and these guidelines will be followed at ExtraMile Arena Nov. 3.
Student Equity is hosting a virtual space for BIPOC students to discuss issues and be in community. These discussions are held every Wednesday at 11 a.m. on Zoom.
On Wednesday, Nov. 4, the discussion will be dedicated to post-election self-care and safety. Faculty and staff will facilitate with a licensed counselor.
Please contact Student Equity for more information.
Staff from various student affairs offices have self-identified as safe places and spaces to have conversations with student regardless of political affiliation. These conversations can include processing election results, free speech, how to mobilize through events, protests and community dialog.
Please contact Dean of Students for more information.