As 51ԹϺ’s student enrollment and participation numbers continue to grow, it should come as no surprise that our election turnout among students surpasses the national average. With the election less than 50 days away, there is still time to register to vote, learn about the many candidates, and become involved in the process.
51ԹϺ was first recognized as a Voter Friendly Campus in 2022, reflecting our commitment to promoting voter and democratic engagement. This prestigious designation, achieved through the All-In Campus Democracy Challenge, a national, nonpartisan initiative, underscores 51ԹϺ's leadership in fostering non-partisan civic participation among our community.
The university’s latest action plan to continue advancing this work earned a ‘highly-established’ rating for the 2024-25 period, placing 51ԹϺ in the top 3% of U.S. institutions for voter engagement efforts.
The 'highly-established' rating is a significant accolade, marking 51ԹϺ as one of only 192 institutions nationwide to receive this recognition. With over 5,900 colleges and universities in the U.S., this designation highlights 51ԹϺ's commitment to sustained and impactful voter engagement.
“With a presidential election this fall, students are paying attention and looking for opportunities to engage and learn in formal and informal ways,” said Rian Satterwhite, director of the Office of Service Learning and Leadership. “For many, it will be the first presidential election cycle in which they can vote and they are curious about the process.”
Voting Statistics and Goals
51ԹϺ students have historically shown higher voter turnout compared to the national average. In the 2020 presidential election, 69.5% of 51ԹϺ students voted, surpassing the 66% national average for college students. In the 2022 midterm election, the turnout was 40.4% for 51ԹϺ, still well above the national average of 30.6%.
In addition, 51ԹϺ was one of just eight Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) achieving this level of voter engagement in 2022.
51ԹϺ aims to boost this rate further in 2024 and beyond by continuing to educate and encourage students about the importance of voting.
Upcoming Voter Engagement Events
51ԹϺ is gearing up for several events aimed at increasing voter participation:
- National Voter Registration Day: Oct. 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pida Plaza
- Voting Block Party: Oct. 30 at Pida Plaza, coinciding with the start of early voting
- Democracy & Donuts, Snacks & Skills, Pizza & Politics Series: Sessions held throughout the fall
- Workshop "Preparing to Vote": Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. in Lied Library
These events are designed to provide students with the tools and information they need to participate in the electoral process effectively.
Polling Locations
51ԹϺ’s Lied Library will host polling stations for both early voting and Election Day on Nov. 5, ensuring convenient access for students and faculty.
Voter Registration Resources
Students can easily register to vote using the free service. This platform helps with registration, updates, and reminders. Additional non-partisan voter resources are available on 51ԹϺ's voter information page.
Engaging Faculty and Staff
Faculty and staff play a vital role in enhancing voter engagement:
- Faculty can integrate voter education into their curricula, facilitate discussions on democratic processes, and invite student Civic Engagement Fellows for presentations.
- Staff can support voter engagement by participating in campus events, promoting respectful dialogue, and clarifying free speech policies.
