Record-Breaking Voter Turnout for University First-Year Elections: The Highest Since 2019!

Every fall, freshmen and transfer students run for the Student Government first-year representative spot. This year, voter turnout rose by 3.8%, making it the highest since 2019.

The first-year representative’s role is to voice the needs of all freshmen and transfer students. Candidates had a week to campaign before voting took place on September 24. On September 29, Ford Myers, a business freshman, and Tanishka Chawla, a civics honors freshman, were elected.

Chawla expressed excitement about her role. “I have a chance to be a voice for our class,” she said. “This includes planning events that resonate with students and drafting legislation for positive change.”

While turnout improved, it still fell short of the 49.2% turnout in 2017. That year’s high was partly due to a popular referendum about restoring the rivalry between UT and Texas A&M. This referendum drew many first-year voters, and turnout saw a steady decline in the following years, exacerbated by COVID-19. Voter participation dropped to just 4.3% in 2022, the lowest in a decade.

Despite this year’s rise, there is still a gap between enrolled first-year students and those who voted. Sydney Tate, a theatre and dance freshman, shared her concerns. “I didn’t know much about the candidates or what the election was about. There should be more information available,” she said.

Zoe Moreno, a political communications freshman, emphasized the importance of voting, even if the election seems minor. “It connects my needs as a student to my representatives,” she explained. However, she highlighted a challenge: the voting window was only nine hours, which may hinder participation. “I hope they consider making it more accessible next time,” Moreno added.

As the university moves forward, both Chawla and Myers have the chance to shape student life. Their success depends not just on their ideas but also on engaging students and ensuring they feel informed and involved in the process.

Looking back, a 2022 study from the National Student Government Association found that 48% of students felt uninformed about student government activities. This underscores the need for better communication and outreach from representatives to encourage broader participation.

With each election, there’s an opportunity to learn and improve for future generations of students. Keeping everyone informed can make a real difference in how engaged students feel.



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