Vote Riot is a Gen Z voter mobilization contest at Warren Wilson College that will challenge students to build, present, and execute a social media campaign to engage other college-aged students around why it’s important to vote in the upcoming 2024 general election. Students can participate as individuals or in teams of two or three. The contest will run in the fall 2023 semester, with the kick-off event happening on Thursday, October 5th and the final judging taking place on Thursday, November 30th (the week immediately after Thanksgiving break).

VOTE RIOT Contestant Entry Form (due by 11:59 pm on October 5th)

The grand prize for the best all around social media campaign will be awarded based on the following criteria:

• Strength of Campaign Content:

  • Articulation designed for GenZ consumption

  • Explanation for why action is needed, and why our human rights depend on it

  • Calls to action for GenZs (e.g. register and vote)

  • Relevant data where helpful

  • Persuasiveness 

• Campaign Reach:

  • Data re. how many people viewed, liked, reposted, shared, or interacted with the campaign’s content

  • Plan for how the campaign will continue to grow beyond the competition timeline, up until the 2024 general election

Contest Prizes: $5000 will be awarded to the individual or team who creates the best all around social media campaign. The runner-up will receive a prize of $3000 (thanks to a generous donor for these prizes). The winner will be voted on by a panel of judges that includes the following Warren Wilson staff and faculty:

• Anna Welton (Associate Dean of Community & Global Engagement, panel coordinator/leader)

• Robert Miller (Professor of History, faculty panelist)

• Beck Banks (Professor of Communications, faculty panelist)

• Amy Knisley (Professor of Environmental Policy, faculty panelist)

• Stephen Herbits, Contest Sponsor (former businessman and political advisor)

• Victoria Tartivita and Julianna Cesarini (Americorps VISTA staff in the Community Engagement Office)

CONTEST GUIDELINES

Beginning on October 5th, contestants will launch a social media campaign geared towards mobilizing Gen Z to vote in the upcoming general election cycle. Contestants should launch a new social media account for the campaign, with shared access for teams of more than one member. To officially enter the contest, contestants must attend a contest kick-off event on October 5th (from 5:30 to 7 pm in Canon Lounge) where they will submit their participant entry form, including the social media handle that their team (of one, two, or three students) will be using for the contest. They will then have eight weeks to execute their social media campaign, garnering as much engagement as possible during the span of the contest (does anyone have what it takes to go viral!?). 

The social media campaign can extend to as many platforms as desired, and it can include any type of content. Videos, infographics, memes, photography, survey questions, specific calls to action, etc. are all fair game. The goal of the campaign is to motivate current college-aged students (more broadly described as Gen Z) to get involved in the upcoming general election and vote. Every social media post made for the contest should utilize the hashtag #voteriot. You are welcome to use as many other hashtags as you wish. Paid boosts to your campaign are not allowed. 

As noted in WWC Student, Faculty and Employee Handbooks, freedom of speech is fundamental to our campus, and that includes expression of opinion. However, In accordance with Internal Revenue Service rules for 501(c)(3) nonprofits, the College must not host or fund programming in support or opposition to specific candidates seeking elective office at any level. Additionally, College-sponsored programming must also be non-partisan, that is, neither endorsing nor opposing a political party. Programming and campaigns are quite free, however, to take positions on policy issues. One could provide information about which candidates are in support of specific policies vs. against them, without specifically endorsing that politician. Finally, bear in mind that the College’s expansive endorsement of free expression does not extend to harassment or hate speech.

At the end of the official contest span, contestants will have 10 minutes to present their campaign on November 30th at an all-campus event (from 5:30 to 7 pm in Canon Lounge). The presentation can include visuals (slides are encouraged) that detail the content of the campaign, and the demonstrated impact (the number of views, likes, and level of engagement will be key in proving your impact, with bonus points if you can demonstrate that you have changed other college student’s minds about their decision to get involved or vote). The goal is to engage as many college-aged students as possible; not just at Warren Wilson, and not just in North Carolina, but across the country. The panel of judges will include staff, faculty, recent graduates, and the contest sponsor who has had a long career in business and political advising. 

If any contestants are found to be in violation of the contest guidelines, that individual or group will be disqualified from the competition.

TIMELINE

• 2nd half of September: Student Ambassadors will run tables in front of the cafeteria to share about the contest and enlist contestants

• 2nd half of September: Panelists will engage with their classes (and will visit other relevant classes) to promote the contest

• By October 5th: contestants must commit to the competition, kick-off event will be held

• October and November: contestants will build and launch their campaigns, garnering as much engagement as possible throughout the time period between October 5th and November 30th

• Thursday, November 30th: VOTE RIOT Judging Event will be held, contestants will present their entries, and a winner and runner-up will be selected and announced shortly thereafter