Student-led march builds on TSU’s civil rights legacy by encouraging eligible voters to exercise their freedom to vote and help shape their communities
Early voting across Texas ended on Friday, October 30. In Harris County alone, turnout topped 1 million voters, joining more than 7.4 million Texans who cast ballots early across the state.
Rising living costs, foreign policy regarding Iran, healthcare expenses, and public school funding remain central concerns for Texas voters. On campus at Texas Southern University, students are focusing their attention on three main priorities: everyday affordability, state funding for HBCUs, and reproductive healthcare access.
Those priorities took center stage on Thursday, October 29. Continuing TSU’s long history of civil rights organizing, the Student Government Association and over 20 campus groups led a March to the Polls. Students met at the Sterling Student Life Center and walked together to the polling site inside the Barbara Jordan–Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs Building.
Joining the massive crowd were actor/activist, organizer, and BLD PWR founder Kendrick Sampson, alongside representatives from Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis’ office. The collective energy highlighted how Gen Z is actively taking ownership of its political power.
“TSU helped teach me that change takes people willing to stand up and act. Generations fought to secure our freedom to vote, and these students are carrying that work forward by organizing and making their voices heard. Young people deserve a say in the decisions shaping their lives.” — Rodney Ellis, Harris County Commissioner
For organizing partners, marching together wasn’t just about handing out stickers—it was about safety, solidarity, and showing up in force.
“A lot of people don’t know the whole point of marching together… making sure we go in numbers. We roll together. We roll deep. Especially with all the threats on us right now, we want to make sure that we are protecting each other and organizing each other.” — Kendrick Sampson, Founder of BLD PWR
TSU SGA President Tamyiah Nielsen reflected on the overwhelming turnout from her peers:
“This is an event to empower people to get to the polls… because our voices matter. If we want change, we have got to create our own change. If we don’t vote, someone else is going to vote and get their rights while we don’t get ours. Just seeing all these people use their civic power is really powerful.”
TSU joins a growing network of HBCUs nationwide, stepping up voter education, registration drives, and direct mobilization efforts. Commissioner Ellis’ office reinforced this work throughout October with community voting teletown halls, participation in the National HBCU Voting Summit, and launching vibrant voter-awareness murals at The Breakfast Klub as part of the Artists for Democracy Project.
Tuesday, November 3 is Election Day.
If you haven’t voted yet, TSU is offering free shuttle service to polling locations on Election Day between 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Find your nearest polling spot, view sample ballots, and confirm operating hours by visiting HarrisVotes.com.
