Written by Gabriel Eisenberg, Spring 2026 TAD Student Leader
What does it mean to truly participate in the democratic process? A few weeks ago, Rutgers students gathered for our event, Voting Across Difference, to explore that very question. The purpose of the event was to peel back the layers of our voting systems, moving beyond the “winner-take-all” mentality to understand how different electoral structures can either bridge or widen the gaps in our community. We kicked things off by introducing ourselves as a cohort and explained some of the ground rules which set a (no pun intended) grounded, human tone before diving into the often-heated world of political theory.
Engagement started with a low-stakes exercise: a Ranked Choice Voting election to determine the best Rutgers bus line. Using a QR-linked Google Form, participants spent five minutes debating the merits of each line. In the midst of the laughter and polite discussion, this icebreaker acted as a hands-on introduction to the Single Transferable Vote system used in NYC and Maine. By seeing the results shift in real-time, students gained a clear introduction of how RCV aims to find a consensus candidate that represents the broadest possible interest, rather than just a simple plurality.
The dialogue shifted to deeper waters as we transitioned into a mock Presidential election. We presented four distinct, unlabelled candidates ranging from Progressive to Libertarian ideologies. We purposely mixed left and right wing views into each candidate to symbolize the fact that, oftentimes, no one candidate completely embodies one’s views nor the views of all voters. Guided by firm ground rules to keep the conversation productive and non-partisan, participants engaged in a “genuine election” simulation. They discussed complex policy positions on the economy, healthcare, and taxation, grappling with how to rank candidates who only partially aligned with their views. By the end of the debrief, participants walked away with more than just a lesson about Ranked Choice Voting. They gained a toolkit for navigating ideological diversity. The consensus among the group was a newfound appreciation for how the way we vote shapes who we are as a society. For those looking to keep this momentum going, TAD applications are now open for Fall 2026! Check out the Eagleton resources linked below to see how you can help lead the next conversation and ultimately shape the future of how we as a society engage with the broader political landscape.
