This page contains a listing of all events and programs related to the 2024 election, including programming hosted by the Center for Democracy and Civic Life and other units across campus who have made a commitment to support UMBC’s political engagement work. For a full listing of Center for Democracy and Civic Life programs, including those not directly related to the election, click here. Follow us on myUMBC for the most up-to-date information about events and opportunities, and check this page later for new events that will be added.
Events and Programs
Delivering and Navigating Legislative Testimony in Annapolis
September 12, 2024 from noon – 1 p.m.
Common 329/WebEx
Sponsored by the Center for Social Science Scholarship
Faculty workshop to learn how to confidently present your research-backed, expert, academic opinion to the Maryland State Legislature. Join us for a faculty workshop with Jake Weissmann, Vice President for Government Relations and Community Affairs at UMBC
Voting in Trying Times: A Constitution Day Conversation with Jared DeMarinis
September 17, 2024 from noon – 1 p.m.
AOK Library Gallery
Co-Sponsored by the Department of Political Science and the Center for Social Science Scholarship
Maryland’s State Administrator of Elections, Jared DeMarinis, will give remarks and answer questions about the challenges to election administration and integrity posed by political misinformation, ideological polarization, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
Get Out the Vote Shabbat
September 20, 2024 from 5 – 6:30 p.m.
The Center for Well-Being
Sponsored by UMBC Hillel
Join UMBC Hillel for the National MitzVote Shabbat. You’ll get information on how to check your voter registration, learn about important issues for Maryland voters, and write get-out-the-vote postcards to people in swing states.
Journalism, Ethics, and Democracy
September 26, 2024 from 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Fine Arts Recital Hall
Sponsored by the Center for Ethics and Values
Join the newly minted Center for Ethics and Values in a moderated informal discussion between Dr. Joe Saunders (a philosopher from Durham University) and two esteemed journalists: Kimi Yoshino (editor-in-chief of the Baltimore Banner) and Melissa Block (former host of NPR’s All Things Considered).
Women’s Soccer Game (vs. Binghamton)
October 3, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Retriever Soccer Park
Sponsored by University Athletics
Come support your Retrievers! At this game, there will be opportunities to learn about how to engage with the election and get energized about what it means to use your voice. Voter registration support will also be available.
Volleyball Game (vs. Binghamton)
October 4, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Chesapeake Arena
Sponsored by University Athletics
Come support your Retrievers! At this game, there will be opportunities to learn about how to engage with the election and get energized about what it means to use your voice. Voter registration support will also be available.
Men’s Soccer Game (vs. UMass Lowell)
October 5, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Retriever Soccer Park
Sponsored by University Athletics
Come support your Retrievers! At this game, there will be opportunities to learn about how to engage with the election and get energized about what it means to use your voice. Voter registration support will also be available.
Dinner with Friends: Navigating the Election
October 7, 2024 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Commons Skylight Lounge
Sponsored by the Center for Democracy and Civic Life
Election season can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming as we are inundated with campaign ads, charged political rhetoric, and fiery language in news and social media. How can we navigate the election season with confidence while keeping ourselves healthy, sorting through the mess of information, and committing to patience and understanding? Join us for a dinner program where we will engage UMBC community members in dialogue about what commitments we can make as community members for navigating the election season.
Politics in the Classroom
October 8, 2024 from 1 – 2:30 p.m.
WebEx, AND
October 9, 2024 from 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Engineering 102
Co-Sponsored by the Center for Democracy and Civic Life and the Faculty Development Center
The classroom is a great place to talk about political engagement, but these types of discussions can often feel challenging, stressful, and even counterproductive. Join us for a workshop on how to create opportunities for students to engage in conversations about politics and the election in ways that honor people’s perspectives and generate space for learning, reflection, and identifying how we can commit to building a better world together.
Election Night Extravaganza
November 5, 2024 from 7:30 p.m. – midnight
The Commons
Co-Sponsored by the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, the Graduate Student Association, the Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program, and the Student Government Association
Election Day is here! Polls close in Maryland at 8 p.m., and news media and other sources will be tracking the returns. Join us in the Commons for a full evening of activities, where you can come for just one part, or stay for the whole thing! We will have multiple locations for watching as news organizations report ongoing vote counts, games and prizes, opportunities for learning about the voting process (e.g., what is a swing state?), and spaces to decompress and relax away from the hustle and bustle of the election.
Together Beyond: Election 2024
November 14, 2024 from 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Location TBD
Sponsored by the Center for Democracy and Civic Life
After the election, regardless of whether the final results will be announced at this point, there will likely be questions and emotions that will be circulating in our heads. The purpose of this event is to create a space for us as a UMBC community to come together to process these questions, think about how we can support each other, and make commitments to moving together into the future, beyond the election.