Welcoming the Vote

Fall 2024 
Interview by Lynn Gosnell

Meet Rice sophomore Karyn Fu, the presiding judge of Harris County Precinct 361, which includes Rice’s student population and an election center located on campus. In addition to her academic endeavors, Fu plays a key role in the election process by overseeing many aspects of the campus voting experience. 

How did you become presiding judge of Precinct 361?
As a freshman, I was a poll worker for the prior presiding judge, Vivian Zheng ’24. Because Vivian was a senior, she was looking for someone to take over when she graduated. I started shadowing Vivian and became her unofficial “assistant judge.” In Precinct 361, a Rice student always serves as presiding judge, and the associate judge is usually someone from the community who belongs to the opposite political party.

What are your responsibilities as presiding judge?
I oversee all parts of the election center, from obtaining the equipment we need to hiring and training poll clerks to setting up the polling place. On Election Day, I’ll be making sure poll workers show up and are fed, that voters receive help when needed, and that the election runs smoothly for everyone at Rice. 

Do your own research or read a voter guide, then vote all the way down the ballot. Those smaller races — like all the courts, school boards, etc. — really do matter. 

What is the biggest challenge in your role?
Getting poll workers hired and trained on how to efficiently manage the election. We help voters fill out the right paperwork, answer any questions that they have about the process, and make sure that our line isn’t so long that it presents a barrier to voting. 

What about that ballot?
The Harris County ballot is very long. There are a lot of important races on there, not just the presidential race. So do your own research or read a voter guide, then vote all the way down the ballot. Those smaller races — like all the courts, school boards, etc. — really do matter at the end of the day. 

Were you a Tracy Flick in high school?
Actually, I wasn’t involved in student government in high school at all. But I’ve always been passionate about voting. One of my biggest influences at Rice has been Elizabeth Vann, who talked a lot about being civically engaged in a social policy analysis class. That inspired me to apply to become involved in election administration.

Should we expect crowds on Nov. 5?
There’s no doubt we’re going to see a bigger turnout than in interim elections, but lines will move quickly because there are so many election machines. Plus, Rice students have the day off on Nov. 5, so people will be voting throughout the day, eliminating long lines at lunchtime or before and after work. We’ll also have more poll workers than usual and at least three stations for check-in.
 

GO VOTE
... and what to know before you vote

Save the Date
Most U.S. citizens at least 18 years of age as of Election Day have a right to vote in the Nov. 5 election. Students can vote on campus or with mail-in ballots from their home state.

Register Soon 
Register by Oct. 7 to vote in the November election. Texas students and staff who want to vote in Houston should change their registration to Harris County or vote in their home county to avoid complications.

Out-of-State Students
Out-of-state students voting in their home state should visit their state’s board of elections website for information about registration as well as mail-in or absentee voting procedures.  

Early Voting
Early voting in person is Oct. 21–Nov. 1 in Harris County. There are early voting locations close to campus and on Rice bus routes. To view all early voting sites, visit harrisvotes.com. 

Bring ID
Student IDs are not accepted, if voting in Texas. See acceptable forms of ID at votetexas.gov. An additional resource is rice.turbovote.org.