Kevin Winchell has been involved at Stetson since 2003, first as an undergraduate who earned his bachelor’s degree in 2007 and now as director of Community Engagement. Through the years in multiple roles, Winchell has seen and done a lot to promote active involvement among students on campus. 

This time of year, however, brings extra devotion from a person who’s been known to wear an Uncle Sam outfit to rally interest during election seasons. And, while there’s no guarantee for such an appearance in the coming days, Winchell has big plans for Stetson Votes Week, which began Sept. 10 and continues through Sept. 20 — marked by a variety of nonpartisan events that also include a U.S. Citizen Naturalization Ceremony (Sept. 17). 

ALL IN Student Engagement

Historically, Stetson has seen impressive student turnouts during elections. Earlier this month, in fact, Stetson earned a Silver Seal from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, based on 2022 campus voting. The awards celebrate nonpartisan democratic engagement, along with campus voter registration and turnout rates.

Yet, this year, the hope is for Stetson to do even better. 

Winchell cites that 2022 represented a midterm election, noting “we’re certain that we’ll have a higher turnout than the 2022 midterm election cycle.” Instead, he points to the presidential election of 2020, when Stetson’s student turnout reached 73.8%. Although the rate was among the highest in Florida and across the nation, he is aiming higher for the Nov. 5 presidential election.

“We’d love to hit 81% this cycle; 81% would be reflective of having 90% of our students registered to vote and having 90% of those registered students turn out. So, 81% is our goal,” asserts Winchell, who is now in his eighth election cycle leading campus nonpartisan student voting efforts. 

His overriding belief: “As a university, we have a unique role to fill in creating a healthy and engaged democracy because usually people are voting in their first election when they are college students. We don’t take that responsibility lightly; its core to our university’s civic mission.” 

Notably, current student interest appears strong, thanks to the concerted efforts of Stetson Votes and several other student groups. On Sept. 10, the campus Presidential Debate Watch Party drew 186 students to Lee’s Garage. 

“College students are quickly understanding the stakes of the elections, and I’m heartened to see so many of them telling their friends to register to vote and learn more about the candidates and issues,” said Winchell. “We’re especially grateful for our students in Stetson Votes for leading this nonpartisan work, and for the many other student organizations who are getting the word out to their members about why it is critical that every student votes in this – and every – election.”

Stetson Votes Week Events

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, designated as National Voter Registration Day, students will have the opportunity to register to vote or update their registration address at the CUB’s front porch, using Vote.org. If students are already registered, they can also enroll in vote-by-mail to make their ballots “hurricane-proof,” said Winchell, referring to the possibility of storms disrupting turnout, which happened in 2022.   

Also at that time, Stetson Votes’ annual Straw Poll will allow all Stetson students to unofficially vote for their preferred candidate for President of the United States, with results being tallied and shared through the Stetson Votes Instagram (@StetsonVotes) after the Straw Poll closes on Wednesday, Sept. 18. As students participate in the Straw Poll, they’ll also receive copies of the “sample ballot” showing all the races and amendments they would vote for in the November general election, including widely discussed Florida Constitutional amendments related to abortion and marijuana access.

Another event during Stetson Voter Week is Things We Don’t Talk About At Dinner: Politics on Sept. 19, 6-7:30 p.m. at Lee’s Garage. The event is part of a periodic series on campus, where the Stetson community comes together to have productive conversations about difficult topics. And, at the Rock for Democracy Concert, Sept. 20 at the Libby Lawn, 6-8 p.m., the entire campus community is invited to celebrate the election season with free food, activities and, of course, great music. Just be sure to bring your own blanket. 

Additionally, Stetson’s Vice Presidential Debate Watch Party is set for Oct. 1 at Lee’s Garage, 9-11 p.m.

Co-sponsors of the events are Stetson Votes, Center for Community Engagement, Student Government Association, SAGE, College Democrats, College Republicans, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Hatter Productions, Student Development and Campus Vibrancy, and Young Americans for Freedom.

New U.S. Citizen Naturalization Ceremony

Appropriately enough, Magistrate Judge Anthony Porcelli, a double-Hatter, will administer the Naturalization ceremony, which is an official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services proceeding. Porcelli, representing the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, graduated from Stetson in 1993 and from the College of Law in 1998. 

Stetson has a history of hosting such ceremonies, events first organized on campus in 1997 by the late Professor Emeritus T. Wayne Bailey, PhD.

This year, the Opening of Court will be performed by Richard Banke, Division Manager, United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Stetson President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD, will make the opening remarks. 

Stetson Votes Week At A Glance

New U.S. Citizen Naturalization Ceremony
Sept. 17, 12-1 p.m., Elizabeth Hall Lee Chapel
Cultural Credit

Voter Registration & Straw Poll Tabling
Sept. 17-18, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., CUB front porch

Things We Don’t Talk About At Dinner: Politics
Sept. 19, 6-7:30 p.m., CUB Lee’s Garage
Cultural Credit and free food

Rock for Democracy Concert
Sept. 20, 6-8 p.m., Libby Lawn
Cultural Credit and free food

Vice Presidential Debate Watch Party
Oct. 1, 9-11 p.m., CUB Lee’s Garage
Cultural Credit and free food