Every other year, Dr. Robert McMonagle harnesses the organizational skills of his State and Local Government class to engage students in the democratic process. Pizza and Politics, a debate watch and town hall, is a Neumann tradition.

This year’s event is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10, from 8:30-11 p.m. in Sora Luna Lounge. It has a straightforward, three-part structure:

8:30-9 – Political Science students introduce the debate and identify some key issues to watch for.

9-10:30 – Everyone watches the Harris-Trump debate.

10:30-11 – McMonagle’s students moderate a town hall discussion about what the candidates said and how they performed.

This particular version of Pizza and Politics could provide an important glimpse into the political leanings and enthusiasm of a critical demographic – the youth vote -- in a swing state that both campaigns consider vital to victory on November 5.

It might also be the only presidential debate of the 2024 campaign with the new slate of candidates. Another reason to attend, of course, is free pizza.

With just two weeks in the semester to plan the event, McMonagle’s class had a steep hill to climb this year. In 2022, the group had six weeks to prepare for the Pennsylvania Senate debate between Mehmet Oz and John Fetterman.

There are three working groups in the State and Local Government class. One is planning Pizza and Politics, another is organizing a voter registration drive, and a third group is promoting the first two efforts.

“Voting is a prerequisite to good citizenship,” said McMonagle in 2022.

The voter registration group will staff tables around campus to engage students as they move between residence halls, Bachmann, and the dining hall. The registration deadline in Pennsylvania is October 21.