Students at the University of Houston-Downtown traded lectures for ballots this week, participating in a campus-organized “Walk to Vote” through downtown Houston.
More than 100 students, along with faculty and staff, walked together from campus to a nearby polling location — an effort designed to increase civic engagement and encourage young voters to make their voices heard.
Turning Voting Into a Shared Experience
Students crossed city streets in groups, talking and laughing as they headed toward the polls. For many, walking together helped ease the pressure that can come with voting alone.
“Walking down here with my friends made me feel at ease,” said Cameliss Rivera, a student voter. “It was nice to see so many people my age voting together.”
Rivera said participating in elections feels especially important for young people whose futures are directly impacted by policy decisions.
“We’re so young and we have a lot to live, and all of this at the end of the day affects us,” she said.
Addressing Low Youth Voter Turnout
The event was organized through a collaboration between UHD’s Council of Organizations and the Undergraduate Student Government Association. Student leaders said low voter turnout among young Texans motivated them to create the Walk to Vote.
“It represents the voices of us being here today,” said Sonny Medina, president of the Council of Organizations. “It’s part of our duty as younger people.”
For Medina, voting also carries personal meaning. His parents are not U.S. citizens and cannot vote, so he sees casting his ballot as a way to represent his family’s voice and future.
Student Government Association President Maximiliano Perez said the event helps students feel more confident navigating the voting process.
“By organizing this, we’re giving students representation on the city, state and national level,” Perez said. “It builds community and gives students that exposure to civic engagement.”
Issues That Matter to This Generation
Students who participated pointed to several issues influencing their decision to vote, including education funding, the job market and the future of higher education.
Areli Arteaga, a student planning to attend law school, said staying informed about leadership and policy changes is critical.
“I’m the one living here. I’m the one pursuing a career in Houston,” Arteaga said. “It felt like a sense of community. I wasn’t alone.”
Organizers said events like the Walk to Vote also help first-time voters who may feel unsure about where to go or how the process works.
Looking Ahead
Student leaders hope to continue the Walk to Vote during future election cycles and expand outreach to reach even more students — especially those balancing work and classes.
For many who made the trip to the polls this week, the experience was about more than casting a ballot. It was about participating together — and reinforcing the idea that civic engagement begins with showing up.