Joliet Junior College Hosting Voter Registration and Civic Engagement Series

Aug 28, 2024

This fall, the Joliet Junior College (JJC) Library, in collaboration with the Office of Student Activities and JJC's social and behavioral sciences department, will host a comprehensive voter registration and awareness campaign for students and the public. This initiative aims to foster civic engagement and empower students to actively participate in the democratic process.

Hosting this campaign at JJC underscores the College's commitment to preparing students for responsible and engaged citizenship.

"Our collective goal is to help students feel more comfortable with the information surrounding elections so they can make informed choices," said Michelle Roubal, library professor. "Our librarians are specialists in information literacy. By attending these sessions, the institution is doing its part to ensure students are making choices based on fact, not fiction."

With help from the JJC Library, attendees will explore a wide range of nonpartisan resources that focus on everything from ballot initiatives to candidates' backgrounds and policy positions.

Dr. Jaleh Sherbini, associate professor of social and behavioral sciences, will moderate two roundtable discussions on democracy and civil rights. During these discussions, participants will be encouraged to think critically, analyze different perspectives and deepen their understanding of these important issues. Dr. Sherbini's expertise and knowledge will guide the conversation and ensure that discussions are informed, balanced, and productive.

"Engaging in the voting process allows students to address issues that directly impact their lives, such as education funding, student debt and economic policies," said Roubal. "This active involvement helps create a more inclusive and representative democracy, ensuring that the voices of young adults are heard and considered in the political arena."

The events will run from August to November and are open to students as well as members of Community College District 525. The campaign covers a variety of topics and events, such as:

Voter Registration Days

Wednesday, Aug. 28
Monday, Sept. 9
Tuesday, Sept. 10
Wednesday, Sept. 11
Thursday, Sept. 12
Tuesday, Sept. 17

Supported by volunteers from the Will County Clerk's Office, voter registration opportunities are a convenient and accessible way to participate in the democratic process.

Fact-Checking Political Information

Thursday, Aug. 29
Tuesday, Sept. 3
Thursday, Sept. 19
Thursday, Sept. 26
Tuesday, Oct. 8

Attendees will discover reliable fact-checking websites and resources from JJC Library staff, plus learn to use these tools to verify information about candidates and election-related news, equipping them with the knowledge and resources to make informed decisions.

Researching Candidates and Election Data

Wednesday, Aug. 21
Tuesday, Sept. 24
Thursday, Oct. 17
Friday, Oct. 18
Monday, Nov. 4

JJC librarians will guide attendees in the exploration of a wide range of non-partisan resources that focus on everything from ballot initiatives to candidates' backgrounds and their policy positions.

For a full schedule of events and details, visit library.jjc.edu/vote or jjc.edu.