UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

Smith County, UT Tyler Partner to Give First-Hand Experience

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June 8, 2016

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

Editor's Note: This press release is presented on behalf of Smith County.

The Smith County Elections Department and a local professor are considering teaming up to teach college students about the election process by giving them first-hand experience.

The Smith County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, June 7, received a presentation from Elections Administrator Karen Nelson and voiced their approval to allow her to team up with Mark Owens, assistant professor of political science for The University of Texas at Tyler.

Owens said he came up with the idea to encourage students to assist in the administration of elections. The partnership would be a local application of a nationwide effort. During the semester-long project, students would be asked to attend the poll worker training, work at a voting location on an election day and reflect on their experience in a report.

Mrs. Nelson said she began talking to Owens about the project in August, and the professor hopes to begin offering it to students of a campaign course in the fall.

Mrs. Nelson said her department will need extra help for the Presidential Election in November.

"I think it's a good idea," she said of the partnership.

While helping her office with election work, it also introduces the students to the election process, Mrs. Nelson added.

"Students enjoy discussing elections and their experiences as voters, but in the classroom it is difficult to simulate new challenges," Owens said. "A partnership with the Smith County Elections Department gives students an opportunity to experience what it means for our entire community to participate in the electoral process."

Smith County Judge Joel Baker and each of the commissioners said they felt the partnership is a good idea, and they believe it would benefit the county and the students.

"I think it's great if you can get young people involved," Commissioner Terry Phillips said.

Owens said he wants his students to learn new ways governments are approaching elections and how they are being implemented. One such example is how Smith County implemented its new Voting Centers, which allows voters to cast ballots at any polling location instead of being restricted to their precinct.

"A partnership with Smith County and UT Tyler that is centered on the primary learning objective of a class is a perfect way for the college to meet one of its goals to connect the classroom to the community," Owens said.