At Connecticut College on Tuesday, as part of a nationwide effort to sign up new voters, Julia Leighton was encouraging those already registered to vote to enter a raffle for free coffee — a fitting prize on a college campus.

For those not registered, she had three iPads set up at a table for online registration, along with paper forms in English and Spanish. There were also sheets of paper for voting-ineligible people to share one way that they’re politically engaged.

Behind her, a white board on the wall read, “Happy Voter Registration Day!! *REGISTER TODAY* Remember: Democracy is NOT a spectator sport!”

As president of the Republicans and Conservatives Club at Conn College, Leighton was taking two half-hour shifts at the table. Present later in the day were representatives from the Connecticut College Democrats, Student Government Association and the college’s Holleran Center for Community Action and Public Policy.

Leighton found herself at a good place and time inside the door of the College Center at Crozier Williams, or Cro, as students walked in to go to the mailroom.

One student started registering on one of the tablets before realizing she needed to go get her driver’s license, while another waited until one of the three tablets became available.

While Leighton got multiple students she knew to stop and register — or enter the raffle, if they were already registered — Ted Brown said he specifically came to register after getting an email from the college. He turned 18 earlier this year, meaning the next election will be his first.

Leighton filmed a video of Rachel Reiss, a senior who is involved with the Holleran Center, for an Instagram story on Connecticut College’s account.

“I study government and sociology, and I’m taking over the college’s Instagram today for National Voter Registration Day,” Reiss said in the video. In a second video, she explained that she is heading the Camel Votes Initiative, to promote electoral education within the school.

Later in the day, students from Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School came to Cro to learn more about staying engaged and do some civic activities, such as drawing a flag. The students are part of the ENRICH program, a partnership between the two schools.

Beyond Connecticut College, volunteer members of the League of Women Voters of Southeastern Connecticut had voter registration tables at the public libraries in Norwich, New London and the Town of Groton.

Outside the Groton Public Library, a flyer advertising the league's presence from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. hung next to a sheet listing states admitted, amendments passed and races decided by one vote.

“A lot of it is just trying to get people to be involved, rather than just complain,” said Rosanne Smyle, who was volunteering with Jamie Whitman and Janet Johnson in Groton. “It’s more important than ever.”

About 12:30, she said they had registered a few people, taken care of those who changed addresses and encouraged people to check their registration status on the secretary of the state’s website.

They had a sheet where people could add their name and number to get a call on Election Day, as a reminder to vote. At the Public Library of New London just after 3 p.m., Pauline Smith — who was at a table with Kim and Hugh Blake — said the league chapter made a few hundred calls last year.

In both Groton and New London, volunteers also educated people about the 2020 census.

e.moser@theday.com