The League of Women Voters of Ohio is leading a statewide roadshow to engage student voters in democracy by visiting college campuses. The roadshow, featuring a 19-foot Airstream Caravel adorned with the motto “Your Voice. Your Vote. Your Power,” made a stop at Ohio State University. Volunteers urged students to register to vote before the October 7 deadline, emphasizing the importance of not missing the opportunity to have their voices heard.

Despite the registration deadline, early, in-person voting in Ohio will begin on October 8, with ballots already distributed to overseas and military voters. The League’s efforts to register voters have resulted in over 5,000 voter contacts and outreach to thousands more across about 20 colleges and universities in Ohio. This initiative is part of a larger voter registration push in preparation for the upcoming presidential election on November 5, with other advocacy groups also actively engaging with voters.

Ohio’s Republican Secretary of State, Frank LaRose, has implemented measures to enhance election integrity, including the removal of 155,000 inactive voter registrations, enhanced scrutiny of noncitizen registrations, and directives on ballot drop box procedures. These actions follow a federal judge’s decision to strike down part of Ohio’s election law, prompting voter advocacy groups to voice concerns about potential barriers to voting.

The League’s executive director, Jen Miller, highlighted that their campus tour involves providing voter information, distributing absentee ballot forms, and facilitating voter registration in a nonpartisan manner. The roadshow will continue with upcoming stops at Ohio University, Youngstown State, and Kent State, aiming to empower and educate students on the voting process. The roadshow’s engaging atmosphere, featuring music and visuals, seeks to energize young voters and emphasize the significance of their participation in the democratic process.