Make a Plan to Vote

A message from President Suzanne Rivera

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty:

The upcoming presidential election is on November 3rd.  I write today to encourage each of you to make a plan to vote.  

This election is an opportunity for each of us to have a say in the future of our country.  Indeed, each of us who can vote bears a solemn responsibility to cast a ballot. As Marian Wright Edelman, founder of The Children’s Defense Fund and Macalester College honorary degree recipient, famously said, “Democracy is not a spectator sport.”

To make it easier for all members of the Macalester community to vote, and with the endorsement of the Faculty Advisory Council, I strongly urge faculty and staff to avoid scheduling any *synchronous* classes, meetings, or other activities on election day.

Students who need assistance to register, to request an absentee ballot, or to find a local polling place can get help through the Mobilize Mac initiative at the Civic Engagement Center: macalester.edu/election.

All college employees (including student employees) have the right to paid time off work to vote in state and federal elections, and in all regularly scheduled local elections. However, for the purpose of maintaining appropriate staffing levels, supervisors may ask individuals to identify and coordinate desired times away from work. If your voting plan involves going to the polls during business hours, please initiate a conversation with your manager soon so that everyone in an office or unit gets the time they need while maintaining coverage of operations.  I ask that senior staff work with the employees in their divisions to assure that each member of this community is able to exercise their right to vote.  

Your vote is your voice.  Please make it heard.

October 2, 2020