Students at Black American colleges are wielding power in the run-up to Election Day

Nonprofit Vote.org told Reuters it registered more than 1 million voters aged 18 to 24 this election cycle by targeting underrepresented groups and newcomers in voter drives and other student outreach on HBCU campuses and in areas with large numbers of voters of color.

Andrea Hailey, CEO of Vote.org, cited “unprecedented” youth engagement during this election cycle, with voters under 35 accounting for nearly 80 percent of all new registrations on the organization’s platform during the 2024 cycle, up from 64 percent in 2020.

Judge Montgomery, a freshman at NC A&T, registered to vote during band camp in July. The drummer plans to cast his vote on campus along with other members of the band called Blue & Gold Marching Machine.

“Originally, I couldn’t even see myself voting,” the Georgia native said. “We took a break from the music to dive deep into some voting issues,” Montgomery said after performing in NC A&T’s homecoming parade to cheers that also greeted dance teams; the campus king, queen and other members of the “royal court”; and a banner of blue balloons reading “Kamala.”

BlackPAC CEO Adrianne Shropshire said homecoming events allow candidates to make a final push and have “substantial conversations with people who are still on the fence.”

BlackPAC, a left-leaning political action committee, has teamed up with Howard University students to engage their peers in celebrating their centennial homecoming.

Howard student Chloé Enoch, 21, said this year’s election and Harris’ election have already inspired younger generations.

Harris, the HBCU’s most famous alumna, was featured on clothing, pins and other merchandise. Howard alumni waved paper fans with her face on the front and early and primary election dates on the back.