This November, Virginia’s college students have a chance to do more than just cast a ballot. They have the power to shape the future of the state and influence national politics. With the gubernatorial election quickly approaching, young voters are being called to action on issues that directly impact their lives: reproductive rights, climate change, LGBTQIA+ protections, access to affordable healthcare and student debt. Political Action Committees (PACs) like The Feminist Majority and Vote 4 Equality (V4E) are urging college students to cast their vote.
The Feminist Majority was founded in 1987 with a vision to create equality among women and men and promote policymaking aligned with this goal. The organization supports reproductive freedom, equal pay laws and global protection of women’s rights. V4E was created as a subsidiary of The Feminist Majority. V4E works by endorsing candidates who align with the organization’s values to ensure the protection of these freedoms.
A study done by Tufts University’s CIRCLE center found that only 47% of Americans aged 18-29 cast a vote, a statistic that directly underscores the low participation of the college population. The Feminist Majority is working to increase this statistic through ventures with V4E.
In V4E member Lauren Warchol’s words: “Vote 4 Equality is so much more than a democratic leaning political PAC. V4E ensures that students understand the importance of voting and assists them in any endeavors they face when it comes to voter registration.” By illuminating this low percentage, the organization hopes to encourage wider participation.
Moreover, Warchol warns that “every vote counts,” noting that this election has the potential to come down to a handful of votes. To stress the importance, she pointed to the 2017 delegate election in Newport News of Simonds v. Yancey where the fate was decided by one vote. The outcome could have been decided by an active follower of politics early to the polls, or it very well could have been a drained college student voting last-minute for extra credit.
The Feminist Majority and V4E have a multitude of resources on voter registration, polling sites and candidate values available to college students. Said organizations offer this reminder: “Don’t wait. Register. Vote. Mobilize your peers. Let 2025 be the year Virginia’s students showed up and made a difference.”
