With a critically important election only weeks away, civic engagement is key to maintaining our democratic freedoms. Each individual deserves the right to fully participate in our political process. 

Hosting synchronous classes on Election Day is an impediment on the necessary civic participation from students, faculty, and other members of the USC community. As of 2018, more than two-thirds of Americans are in favor of making Election Day a holiday or giving workers more time off to go vote according to the Pew Research Center. Moreover, the US Census Bureau in 2016 reported that scheduling conflicts are one of the top two reasons why eligible voters don't vote.

Cancelling synchronous classes on Election Day gives all members of the Trojan community the opportunity to participate in our democracy, an opportunity all individuals deserve.