A UA freshman is utilizing her ardour for politics to encourage statewide change as a subject intern for Chris Jones, the Democratic candidate for Arkansas governor.
Anna Li Richardson, 18, has served as one in all Jones’ interns since April. Her duties embody neighborhood and voter outreach, creating and implementing occasions, coordinating volunteers and primary workplace duties.
Richardson’s ardour for politics started whereas she was in center college, particularly within the midst of the 2016 elections. Although she had beforehand concerned herself in scholar authorities, that election cycle prompted her to coach herself and uncover the place she stood on varied political points.
A pal advisable that Richardson apply for the internship with Jones, and after interviewing, she landed the job.
Richardson, having been politically conscious and lively since a younger age, cited her mother and father as a supply of inspiration.
“My mother and father drilled in me to at all times get up for what you imagine in,” Richardson mentioned. “Irrespective of in the event you’re standing alone or in the event you’re standing with others, you must stand.”
Richardson sees this chance as not solely a option to promote Jones’ marketing campaign, but in addition to realize related expertise towards her worldwide relations and political science majors, and make a distinction within the state of Arkansas, she mentioned.
“Chris has expertise in coverage and economics,” Richardson mentioned. “He’s going to all 75 counties to stroll a mile of their footwear, to get to know the folks, what they’re curious about, and what they wish to see occur in our state.”
Richardson thinks this can be very vital that younger folks vote, she mentioned.
“If you need your voice heard and also you need sure insurance policies in place, you’ve gotto go vote,” Richardson mentioned. “The individuals who don’t care don’t vote.”
Dara Gaines, 28, Jones’ deputy subject director and Richardson’s supervisor, elaborated on the worth of voting.
“As a teenager myself, I notice that we have now to make good selections and decisions for our future,” Gaines mentioned. “Our leaders are tasked with making selections on our behalf. We’d like leaders we will maintain accountable, leaders who’ve the folks’s finest pursuits at coronary heart.”
Jones’ interns are integral to his campaign with their capability to achieve new teams of individuals, and Richarson particularly has been wonderful, Gaines mentioned. Earlier than Richardson moved to Fayetteville for college, she was within the Little Rock workplace “as a lot as humanly attainable,” studying the best way to practice volunteers for Jones’ marketing campaign occasions and attain potential voters. Richardson has continued her work in Jones’ Fayetteville workplace and throughout campus.
Jones agreed that his interns have been important to selling his marketing campaign throughout their faculty campuses and inside their communities. The center of his marketing campaign is the “Promise of Arkansas”: the hope that collectively, Arkansans can handle challenges and make house for residents to reside out their distinctive potential.
“Younger persons are instrumental to profitable this election and unlocking the Promise of Arkansas for all,” Jones mentioned in a press release issued to the Traveler. “Marketing campaign fellows like Anna Li prepared the ground, bringing constructive vitality, enthusiasm and recent views to our crew.”
With Arkansas constantly ranked low in voter registration and turnout, Jones thinks it’s essential for the voices of younger folks to be heard within the 2022 governor election, he mentioned. When youthful folks end up to vote, they’re instantly influencing points that may have an effect on their lives for years to come back, similar to faculty tuition reform, healthcare, local weather change and freedom of privateness.
“Younger folks, our most various era, can flip the script by registering to vote in numbers like by no means earlier than and registering all their mates to vote,” Jones mentioned. “Each neighborhood deserves to assert their seat on the desk — particularly our college students and younger professionals.”
Jones mentioned he encourages Arkansas residents to verify their voter standing, register to vote by Oct. 11, and present as much as vote — both early or on Election Day, Nov. 8.
“Multiply your affect by ensuring everybody you understand is registered to vote, and that they present as much as vote to solid their ballots,” Jones mentioned.
For UA college students curious about voting, College Housing is internet hosting a “Rise Up and Vote” occasion from 11-2 Sept. 22 on the Union Mall. The occasion, beforehand referred to as “Structure Day”, could have trivia and prizes, free meals and the chance to register to vote.
Caroline Wagner, a senior and Lead Hogs advisor, is aware of the upcoming election would be the first time most of the college’s younger college students would have the ability to vote.
“As a corporation serving numerous first yr college students, we have now a chance to information them into taking part in civic engagement,” Wagner mentioned.
College students similar to Richardson and the Lead Hogs crew are only a small illustration of the alternatives for younger folks to make political change.
“Political change doesn’t come from simply voting,” Richardson mentioned. “Nevertheless, a vote is the primary, and most vital step.”
