Jonathan Becker and Sierra Ford ’26 Discuss the Student Voter Empowerment Act on WAMC’s The Roundtable

“If we believe in the future of our country is in young people, we want to get them involved in the democratic process, and voting is the core expression of democracy,” Jonathan Becker, vice president for academic affairs and director of the Center for Civic Engagement at Bard College, said on WAMC’s The Roundtable. Appearing alongside Sierra Ford ’26, coleader of Election@Bard and president of Bard Student Government, the two discussed the Student Voter Empowerment Act and the challenges facing nonpartisan efforts to increase student participation in democracy. Ford said that young people feel a certain sense of “nihilism” around the state of democracy: “But I want to be very clear that that nihilism is not apathy. That's still a feeling towards democracy. There is a desire to participate, but they’re disenchanted with certain politicians and really turned off by how partisan and how hostile things have become over the course of years.” The Student Voter Empowerment Act, which Becker and Ford have endorsed and hope will pass, would partner with colleges and universities across New York State, distributing voting rights educational materials, upcoming deadlines, information on local candidates, and more. Becker said that it would not be cost prohibitive for institutions to enact these changes. “The question is, are you investing in your future citizens?” he said. “Are you investing in democracy?”

Post Date: 03-17-2026