All Voting Is Local
Ohio Wesleyan Student Completes Fellowship Focused on Election Processes, Impact
Name: Madinah Binraymond '27
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
High School: Westerville South High School
Majors: Politics & Government and Pre-Law
Minor: History
OWU Connection Experience: Working as an Election Pipeline Fellow for All Voting is Local, a nonpartisan organization that "fights for free and fair elections at the state and local level"
"[T]he goal of my internship was to provide students with a deeper understanding of election administration, along with the work that goes into elections in their entirety," Binraymond said. "This dive into election education is cultivated through readings, lectures, and meetings with local Board of Election members."
More specifically, Binraymond said, her role "consisted of reading various articles regarding local elections with a specific focus on the state of Ohio, meeting with local election administrators, participating in election registration drives, and finally attending sessions with the entirety of my cohort and special guests in order to better understand the various facets of local election work."
Why This Experience?
"I had a limited understanding of the importance of local elections, as well as the general mechanics and behind-the-scenes of the election process in its entirety. I wanted to better comprehend local and state elections, and the administrative work that goes into these elections in order to better appreciate democracy in all its forms."
Favorite Moments
"Meeting with the Delaware County Board of Elections following Election Day was my favorite experience because it allowed me to witness everything my Election Pipeline cohort discussed in real time. I was also sworn in as an observer and was given access to the ballots, as well as the individuals who were responsible for checking each ballot."
My greatest takeaway from this experience was that elections are not just a single moment that occurs on election day, but rather are the product of intense planning and coordination from election administrators.
Lessons Learned
"My greatest takeaway from this experience was that elections are not just a single moment that occurs on election day, but rather are the product of intense planning and coordination from election administrators. Additionally, this work does not end following the election, rather it continues for what could be weeks after the fact.
"Experiences like these matter because they allow for a greater appreciation of what I'm studying at OWU, and show me different pathways for careers that I might not have known before."
OWU Relationships
At All Voting is Local, Binraymond's supervisor was OWU alum Greer Aeschbury '11. Binraymond also received advice and guidance from Brianna Mack, Ph.D., associate professor of Politics & Government, who worked with another group of Election Pipeline Fellows. Mack's expertise includes U.S. elections, American political behavior, and political psychology.
Campus Involvements
Binraymond is the treasurer of the Politics & Government Student Board.
Why Ohio Wesleyan?
"There are several reasons behind my choice to attend OWU, one of the most significant ones was the small and close-knit environment that it has, which no other school I was interested in really had like OWU. Additionally, I was hoping to attend a college in the state and closer to my home in Columbus. With the amazing financial aid OWU provided me with, it truly was the best choice for me."
Plans After Graduation
"Following graduation, I plan to attend law school, and from there begin a career in the legal field. OWU is preparing me to reach this goal through its Pre-Law major, which offers various courses that present students with the necessary materials in order to pursue law. Additionally, I have met several faculty members who have attended law school and have been able to offer me advice and counsel regarding certain decisions about law school."