East Coast Votes Summit

Two students pose for a photo in the bleachers of Sanders Theater during the live 2024 presidential election watch party.

The East Coast Votes Summit will take place on Saturday, September 19 at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, MA, from 9AM to 4:30PM ET. This free nonpartisan event will bring together MA campuses to support nonpartisan engagement throughout the year. Participants can expect a day filled with breakout sessions, keynote speakers, networking, and recognition of the Boston Votes Awardees.

About the Organizers

Amir Smith

My name is Amir Smith, and I am a freshman (Class of 2029) from Dallas, Texas in Grays West studying History. I'm so excited to be this year's Co-Chair of Harvard Votes Challenge, Harvard's flagship non-partisan organization dedicated to voter empowerment, education, and outreach by increasing voter registration and participation on and beyond Harvard's campus!

Carter Umphress

I’m Carter Umphress, and I’m a sophomore (Class of 2028) originally from Las Vegas, NV studying Government and Economics. I am one of the Co-Chairs of the Harvard Votes Challenge, which seeks to promote voter turnout and civic engagement on Harvard’s campus. I’m looking forward to working towards 100% voter registration and turnout as the 2026 midterms approach.

Agenda

Time	Session
9-10AM	Arrival and Networking (Breakfast) Harvard Kennedy School, LITTAUER L-150 TRUSTMAN Enjoy a continental breakfast with coffee, tea, and assorted pastries while networking with other event attendees and guests.
10-10:30AM	Opening Speaker Andrea Hailey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vote.org Harvard Kennedy School, JOHN F. KENNEDY JR. FORUM
10:30-11:30AM	Breakout 1 & Breakout 2 HKS Fall ‘26 Fellow Conversation Harvard Kennedy School, LITTAUER L-140 GOODMAN Innovating GOTV: An Idea Sharing Workshop Harvard Kennedy School, LITTAUER L-130 BOLTON
11:30AM-12:30PM	Keynote Speaker Session Harvard Kennedy School, JOHN F. KENNEDY JR. FORUM
12:30-1:00PM	Harvard Yard Tour Start from Johnston Gate A guided tour of Harvard Yard.
1:00-2:00PM	Lunch Harvard College, Annenberg Dining Hall Attendees are invited to have lunch on their own in Harvard Square or have a complimentary lunch at Harvard College's iconic first-year dining hall space, Annenberg.
2:00-3:00PM	Breakout 3 & Breakout 4 Invisible Barriers with Stephanie L. Young Harvard Kennedy School, LITTAUER L-140 GOODMAN Stephanie L. Young, Former Executive Director of When We All Vote Sifting Through the Numbers: A Harvard Youth Poll Panel Harvard Kennedy School, LITTAUER L-130 BOLTON John Della Volpe, Institute of Politics (IOP) Director of Polling; Jordan Schwartz, 2024 Harvard Votes & 2025 Youth Poll Chair; Sophia Robertson, 2026 Harvard Youth Poll Chair
3:00-4:00PM	Breakout 5 & Breakout 6 Social Media, Communications, & GOTV with Ashlynn Profit Harvard Kennedy School, LITTAUER L-140 GOODMAN Ashlynn Profit, Executive Vice President at When We All Vote and Civic Nation Public Service Conversation with the Philips Brooks House (PBH) Harvard Kennedy School, LITTAUER L-130 BOLTON
4:00-4:30PM	Closing Remarks Harvard Kennedy School, JOHN F. KENNEDY JR. FORUM

Register for the Summit

Interested in attending the summit? Register using the link below.

DSO Special Projects & Initiatives

#CrimsonVotes

Harvard College is committed to fostering a robust culture of voting and civic engagement among new and young voters at a time when trust in our democracy seems to be at an all-time low.

Learn more about #CrimsonVotes

Three students in Annenberg dining hall in election night gear during the 2024 presidential elections watch party.

East Coast Votes Summit