Election Day Volunteers, Trolley Rides Put UMW Voters on Track for Civic Engagement
“Cast Your Vote” stickers, red-white-and-blue doughnuts and star-shaped balloons drew attention at the University of Mary Washington’s Double Drive on Election Day.
But the real stars were the more than 200 students who took advantage of free trolley rides to cast their ballots in the 2026 midterm elections and the UMW Votes volunteers who helped them do it.
“It’s important to stand up for what you think is right and what you think people deserve in this world,” said junior communication and digital studies major Flash Tetteh, who rode the trolley to cast his second-ever election ballot. His first official vote was in the 2024 presidential election at his home polling place in Lorton.
UMW Votes volunteers contributed a combined 45 hours to help fellow students take free trolley rides to the polls at Fredericksburg’s Dorothy Hart Community Center and back. A nonpartisan group promoting civic engagement, they facilitated more than 40 same-day voter registrations, prepped students with sample ballots and information on proposed amendments, and shared their advice and support.
“We’re trying to get as many people to vote today as we can,” said Sadie Hendrickson, a first-year student and UMW Votes member who’s leaning toward a sociology major. “We’re also trying to make it an enjoyable experience.”
Read more about civic engagement at UMW on Election Day in 2026.
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