Bozeman Magazine

A student forum about the midterm election, “Midterm Elections and the College Vote: Will Social Media Determine Your Vote?” is set for noon Monday, Nov. 5, in Montana State University’s Strand Union Building Ballroom B. Topics to be discussed include social media algorithms, social media’s influence, presentations from candidates and representatives from local political parties on political platforms and ideologies. According to the MSU Leadership Institute, which is organizing the forum, 4,300 students live on campus, and many will vote the campus polling place in Shroyer Gym on Nov.6. Voters may register in person at the courthouse on or before election day. Students both on and off campus have the potential to significantly impact election results, said Dani Dailey, a student studying political science and economics who serves as the senior associate of the MSU Leadership Institute. “The student voter population is in a unique position in this midterm, given the massive amount of political information available at their fingertips,” Dailey said. “The benefits of this are unmistakable, but the dangers of false information and alternative facts have started a trend of blind spots and bias regarding political decision making.” Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Candidates and party representatives will have information tables set up before and after the forum. No registration is required. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunch and also enjoy a free slice of pizza. This forum is sponsored by the MSU Leadership Institute, Office of the Provost and the Associated Students of Montana State University. For more information, please call the MSU Leadership Institute at 406-994-7275 or visit www.montana.edu/leadership or facebook.com/MSULeadershipInstitute