Election Day Volunteers, Trolley Rides Put UMW Voters on Track for Civic Engagement

November 6, 2026

Lisa Chinn Marvashti

UMW students line up to board a trolley on campus for a free ride to the polls on Election Day. — More than 200 University of Mary Washington students took advantage of free trolley rides to the polls on Election Day 2026, with help from UMW Votes volunteers who encouraged civic engagement across campus. Photo by Sam Cahill.

“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.”

Music boomed, balloons shaped like stars and letters spelling “VOTE” floated in the air, and pizza and doughnuts were up for grabs at tables set up near the Bell Tower outside George Washington Hall. UMW Votes volunteers donned T- and free stickers that displayed patriotic messages ranging from lighthearted to poignant.

UMW President Troy Paino stands with students and UMW Votes volunteers on campus as they hold gold balloons spelling out “VOTE.”

UMW students board a trolley with the campus clock tower visible in the background.

UMW student volunteers staff a voter information table beneath a tent on campus.

View from inside a trolley showing UMW students riding together to the polls on Election Day.

A UMW student volunteer sits behind a table displaying red, white and blue decorated doughnuts and voter information.

Two UMW students pose together in front of a trolley on campus during Election Day activities.

A UMW student volunteer sits aboard a trolley wearing a T-shirt that reads "Voting Is for Lovers."

UMW President Troy Paino (second from L) and Center for Community Engagement Director Sarah Dewees (fourth from L) join students and UMW Votes volunteers in celebrating Election Day 2026, part of a campus-wide effort to encourage voter participation. Photo by Sam Cahill.

Students board a free trolley on UMW’s campus, heading to the Dorothy Hart Community Center in Fredericksburg to cast their ballots in the 2026 midterm elections. Photo by Sam Cahill.

UMW Votes volunteers helped students prepare for Election Day by sharing sample ballots, information on proposed amendments and details about voter registration. Photo by Sam Cahill.

UMW students ride the trolley to the polls on Election Day. Free transportation helped make voting more accessible to students throughout the day. Photo by Sam Cahill.

Red, white and blue doughnuts, voting information and enthusiastic student volunteers helped create a festive atmosphere on UMW’s campus for Election Day. Photo by Sam Cahill.

UMW students helped spread the word about voting and encouraged classmates to participate in the 2026 midterm elections. Photo by Sam Cahill.

A UMW Votes volunteer sports a “Voting Is for Lovers” T-shirt while helping promote student participation in the 2026 midterm elections. Photo by Sam Cahill.

“It was great to see such positive energy on Election Day,” said Center for Community Engagement Director Sarah Dewees. “Mary Washington students take the right to vote seriously, exercising their citizenship skills and engaging in the democratic process.”

UMW College Republicans and UMW Young Democrats set up tables on Campus Walk, sharing information with passersby. Student Government Association and Mary Washington’s NAACP chapter also helped with the day.

“I love getting the word out,” said junior math major Julie Beshoar, who grew up in Alabama accompanying her parents to the polls.

Senior Liz Kyne, who’s studying pre-law, echoed the importance of civic engagement.

“Voting is a moral responsibility now more than ever. It’s about being on the right side of history,” she said. “If this is all I can do, I’m going to do it.”

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