HARRISBURG, PA — On Wednesday, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt joined college presidents from across Pennsylvania in a virtual event to launch the nonpartisan 2024 Pennsylvania Campus Voting Challenge. This initiative, aimed at boosting student civic engagement, is a partnership between the Pennsylvania Department of State and the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN).
“Voting is the most fundamental right in our representative democracy, and college educators and administrators are uniquely positioned to encourage our youngest eligible voters to register and make their voices heard,” Schmidt stated. “After all, these voters have an enormous stake in the future direction of our Commonwealth and our country. We hope that every young voter becomes a lifelong voter.”
Launched in 2020, the PA Campus Voting Challenge supports and recognizes more than 75 Pennsylvania colleges and universities, which together enroll over 480,000 students. Awards are given to four-year institutions and community colleges for the highest voter turnout, most improved voter turnout, and highest voter registration among students. Notably, 37 Pennsylvania institutions were recognized as “Most Engaged” campuses by ALL IN in 2022, more than any other state.
Jen Domagal-Goldman, executive director of ALL IN, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, saying, “ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge is excited to launch the 2024 Pennsylvania Campus Voting Challenge. Our ongoing partnership with Secretary Schmidt helps ensure that students across Pennsylvania are set up for success this November. We are grateful to colleges and universities for their commitment to civic engagement and helping students make their voices heard.”
Participants in the virtual kickoff encouraged institutions across the Commonwealth to join the challenge. They stressed the importance of submitting a civic engagement plan to register students for the upcoming November general election. Key focus areas include:
- Increasing voting rates by helping students develop habits of active and informed citizenship.
- Making civic participation a core campus value.
- Convening campus-wide working groups that include members from academic affairs, student affairs, the student body, and other stakeholders.
- Participating in the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) to measure student voting rates and gain recognition.
- Developing and implementing a data-driven action plan to enhance civic learning, political engagement, and voter participation.
The initiative also includes a 2024 PA Youth Voting Summit, hosted by the Fair Election Center’s Campus Vote Project and supported by ALL IN, scheduled for September 20 at the Forum Auditorium in Harrisburg. College presidents, staff, and students are encouraged to attend. The 2022 PA Campus Voting Challenge award winners will be announced at this event.
By fostering a culture of civic engagement, the PA Campus Voting Challenge aims to make voting and political participation an integral part of the student experience. Through these efforts, Pennsylvania hopes to empower its youngest citizens to actively shape the future of their communities and the nation.
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