Staff Editorial|

College students, especially those in Pennsylvania, are a crucial vote in the upcoming election. Depite that, Duquesne will be holding classes on Election Day.

In 2016, 47% of college students registered to vote had a time constraint that prevented them from going to the polls, according to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement

Duquesne should provide students with a day off to allow them to participate in one of the most vital aspects of democracy.

A cancellation of classes on Election Day would signal to students that voting and democracy should be prioritized, and make it easier for them to vote.

Across the country, universities have begun canceling classes on the day of the election.

There was a 211% increase in class cancellations from 2016-2020, according to an article from Forbes.

Not far from campus, the University of Pittsburgh’s academic calendar reads, “flexible course engagement encouraged, as appropriate,” when referring to Election Day. Nov. 5 is not acknowledged in Duquesne’s Fall 2024 academic calendar at all.

On the other side of the state, Drexel University decided in March that they were not holding classes on Election Day.

Youngmoo Kim, Drexel’s vice provost of university & community, said that participation in democratic elections is a bedrock of society, according to an article from Drexel’s official website.

Day On Democracy is a program that calls for class cancellation in higher education on Election Day.

“It will encourage college students to become lifelong civic agents and advance a positive, hopeful vision of politics,” their website said.

Although a prominent part of our democracy, registered voters face many complications on Election Day that stops them from going to the polls.

Cae Stewart, a freshman Music Technology major at Duquesne, was surprised when she heard that the university holds classes on Election Day. She said she recalls having a day off during past elections throughout high school.

On Nov. 5, Stewart now has to worry about traveling to and from campus, attending classes and finding time to vote.

She said having classes canceled for a day focused on voting would be best.

“I feel like it would be helpful,” Stewart said. “People could plan for voting.”

In Pennsylvania, all voters have the option to vote by mail-in ballot, which explains universities’ reluctance to deem the day a campus holiday.

Though the option is viable, this form of voting could end in rejection for multiple reasons.

Giving students an academic holiday dedicated to voting would demonstrate the university’s dedication to democracy in a non-partisan way. It would also alleviate the stress of students who want their voices to be heard in the upcoming election.