With the presidential election fast approaching, a Boston College student-run campaign, BC For Harris, is drawing in student enthusiasm and redefining how students can get involved in the upcoming election on campus.
The campaign started gaining momentum at the beginning of the semester. Spearheaded by Onur Toper (MCAS’ 25), his goal is to make a difference and emphasize the importance of this election in the community.
“This election is not just about the next four years, it’s about the next 40 years, it’s so consequential,” said Toper.
He described his three-pronged approach to success: voter registration, phone banking, and social media.
The group participates in phone banking every week until election day. So far, they have made calls to Georgia and Wisconsin, with plans to target more swing states.
“Just an hour a week can change the course of the election. Even though Massachusetts is not a swing state, there’s a lot of things we can do in Chestnut Hill to impact swing states,” said Toper.
BC For Harris has also teamed up with College Democrats of Boston College (BC Dems) to table for voter registration on the quad this month.
Spencer Daniszewski (MCAS’ 25), president of Dems, is heavily involved with the campaign. Although BC For Harris is separate from Dems, they are collaborating with their initiatives to increase support and gain even more momentum.
“We wanted that distinction (between Dems and BC For Harris) because in order to support Kamala Harris, you don’t have to be a democrat,” said Daniszewski.
Daniszewski urges BC students to get involved in the effort, no matter what issue they may be passionate about.
“Every single person in the BC community has some sort of stake in what’s going on in this country. If you care about the future of climate change, income inequality, the price of education, reproductive justice, we have the ability to actually effect change. It’s very easy to be cynical or sit on the sidelines, we’re better than that,” said Daniszewski.
Young people, in particular, have an increased role in this election.
“8.3 million new people have aged into the voting bracket, you’d be hard pressed to find any part of your everyday life that is not impacted by a public policy decision, we have seen the importance of the presidency magnified,” said Toper.
In a national poll released by the Institute of Politics (IOP) at the Harvard Kennedy School, it is indicated that among 18-to-29-year-olds nationwide, Vice President Kamala Harris holds a 31-point lead over former President Donald Trump among likely voters.
However, among the general population, the race between Kamala and Trump is extremely close.
Toper said, “While it might seem small talking to voters on the phone, it can make a difference. This election is going to come down to a few 1000 votes, any extra hour or minute is going to help.”
If you are interested in keeping up with future events or getting involved, BC For Harris (@bcforharris) and College Democrats of Boston College (@bccollegedems) can be found on Instagram. The College Democrats of Boston College have general meetings on Tuesdays in Fulton 415 at 8 p.m.
Register to vote or check your voter registration status here.
