Our Place in Walla Walla: Elections & Voting
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Feature by: Noah Leavitt, College Liaison for Community Affairs
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These days, our place is filled with ballots.
Washington uses a mail-in voting process and so over the past week Walla Walla residents have received their ballots for numerous races. A big shout-out to the Whitman Wire which has done a fantastic job this fall covering important local elections, including campaigns for the Port of Walla Walla Commissioner, School Board and City Council. (As the Union-Bulletin noted this summer, “in Washington, odd-numbered year elections tend to emphasize local politics while being lighter on state and national races.”)
According to Walla Walla Trends, there is a steady increase in the percentage of local people eligible to vote who are in fact registered voters. This doesn’t mean that they actually vote, however. In last fall’s elections, as part of a large drop in voting in Eastern Washington compared to the 2018 election, Walla Walla registered an 8% decline in voters.
In general, Walla Walla “leans conservative” even though both the Republican and the Democratic parties have local operations. (I like to tell people that we live in a purple-ish city in a red county in a blue state, making for interesting and sometimes unexpected voting outcomes.)
No matter who you prefer, though, ballots need to be returned by Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7. (This is not the only local election day next month, however. At CTUIR, members of the General Council turn in their ballots to select tribal leaders on Tuesday, Nov. 14.)
Yet, as much as state election officials try to simplify the process of voting, huge barriers remain, both deliberately caused and inadvertent.
Because Walla Walla is home to a large Latinx population—nearly one quarter of our county’s population according to recent census data—it’s important to understand the barriers to electoral participation faced by this set of community members and perhaps if there are ways that we can reduce the barriers to political participation.
Read more.
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Grant Didway ’24 Places Second at Film Festival
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Whitman student Grant Didway ’24 and Emily Greenzang (University of Rochester) won second place in the 9th Annual IES Abroad Study Abroad Film Festival for their film “Lost Time.” The film emphasizes the power of nostalgia and the value of intangible connections by illustrating how memories created during a study abroad experience forever change a person’s life.
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Álvaro Santana-Acuña Interviewed on Colombian National Public Radio
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Associate Professor of Sociology Álvaro Santana-Acuña was recently interviewed on Colombia’s National Public Radio about his book in progress, “Biografía de Cien años de soledad,” the Spanish version of his book “Ascent to Glory.”
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Zotero Help Sessions This Week
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This week, Penrose Library will host several drop-in Q&A/help sessions for the citation management tool Zotero. If you have any questions about how to set up or use Zotero, come to any of the following sessions in the Penrose Library Fishbowl Classroom (Room 313):
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- Monday, Oct. 30 at 4 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m.
- Friday, Nov. 3 at 3 p.m.
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If you have a Zotero question but can’t make one of these times (or if you want to talk citation management with EndNote), please make an appointment with a librarian.
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Archives After Hours Event Tonight
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The Whitman College & Northwest Archives are pulling a collection of curious items from the vault for an open house, tonight from 5–6 p.m. on the ground floor of Penrose Library. Discover early glass plate photographs, rare books, cryptozoology files, historic film footage and more! (See attached flyer.)
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Residence Hall Trick-or-Treat Event Tomorrow
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The Residence Life team invites all members of the Whitman community and their families to enjoy trick-or-treating in the residence halls on Tuesday, Oct. 31 from 5–7 p.m. During the first hour, visit Anderson Hall, Prentiss Hall and the Interest House Community. During the second hour, visit Douglas Hall, Lyman House and Jewett Hall (see attached map and flyer). Folks of all ages are welcome!
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All-In Raises More Than $500K for Whitman
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The Office of Development is pleased to report that last week’s All In for Whitman fundraising efforts surpassed the goal of 1,500 donors and raised more than $500,000 for scholarship support, athletics, and other important contributions to the student experience! The All In for Whitman days of giving are part of the larger Upward Together campaign. “Thank You!” to those of you who joined in going All In for Whitman this year!
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“Thank You!” to all students, faculty and staff who went All In for Whitman this week! We appreciate the excitement and energy you brought on social media, on campus during coffee and donuts and your participation in our spirit day challenge.
“Thank You!” for going All In for Whitman!
-Office of Development
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Monday (Spirit Week: School Spirit Day)
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Staff Performance Management Training
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Penrose Library, Fishbowl (Room 313)
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Penrose Library, Archives Classroom
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Reid Campus Center, Room G02
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Every Day Is Halloween Costume Contest
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Harper Joy Theatre, Lobby
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Penrose Library, Fishbowl (Room 313)
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Tuesday (Spirit Week: Halloween Costume Day)
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Reid Campus Center, Room 218
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Every Day Is Halloween Costume Contest
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Harper Joy Theatre, Lobby
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Residence Halls and Interest Houses
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Reid Campus Center, Room G02
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Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom (RSVP)
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Wednesday (Spirit Week: Pajama Day)
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Cleveland Commons, Lizzie Murr Conference Room
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Memorial Building, Room 205
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Blue Mountain Humane Society (RSVP)
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Penrose Library, Fishbowl (Room 313)
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Thursday (Spirit Week: Twins Day)
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Reid Campus Center, Coffeehouse
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Reid Campus Center, Room G02
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Friday (Spirit Week: Neon Day)
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Penrose Library, Fishbowl (Room 313)
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Hall of Science, Room 159
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Reid Campus Center, Room 207
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Hall of Music, Chism Recital Hall
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Hall of Music, Chism Recital Hall
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Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom
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Glover Alston Center (RSVP)
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Would you like to share an event with campus? Submit the information to the Events Calendar.
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“Whitman Today” is produced by the Office of Communications and is emailed Monday through Friday to Whitman College staff, faculty and students.
All submissions are welcome! If you have accomplishments to celebrate, an event to publicize or other content to share with the Whitman community, email whitmantoday@whitman.edu. Submissions of 125 words or less are due by noon for the following day’s newsletter. Submissions may be edited and/or held for a later date according to space and editorial needs. Your submission also authorizes use on Whitman's social media unless otherwise specified.
Previous issues of Whitman Today are archived on our website.
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Find us on social media: @whitmancollege
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