Ohio University recognized for excellence in student voter registration and turnout

ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) recognized Ohio University for its nonpartisan democratic engagement efforts that fostered high levels of student voter engagement in the 2022 midterm elections. OHIO received the Campus Democracy Challenge Silver Seal Award, reflecting its commitment to ensuring that nonpartisan democratic engagement is a defining feature of campus life.

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement. OHIO was recognized alongside more than 500 campuses using data from the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE), which found that colleges and universities had the second-highest voter turnout among students in a midterm election since NSLVE began measuring this data. The full list of campus award winners can be viewed here.

“Voting is not just a right; it’s a responsibility that shapes our future. We are proud to be given this designation and support OHIO students registering to vote. It is a testament to the power of engagement and civic responsibility and reflects a commitment to shaping the future and ensuring that the voices of young people are heard in our democracy,” Mary Nally, director of the Center for Community Engagement, said.

Ohio University offers various resources to help ensure students are able to vote whether that be in person or by mail.

“The ALL IN Awards were created to celebrate nonpartisan democratic engagement and the outstanding campus voter registration and turnout rates achieved by our ALL IN campuses. Ahead of the 2024 elections, ALL IN campuses are ready to build on the momentum from 2022 to ensure their communities are ready to make an even bigger impact this fall,” said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, Executive Director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “ALL IN is proud to celebrate and honor top-performing campuses, like Ohio University who demonstrate that nonpartisan student voter engagement is possible and effective.”

In support of the Presidential Commitment for Full Student Voter Participation, the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) was also awarded two mini-grants from Ask Every Student and Campus Vote Project to reduce barriers to voting, reward student and faculty leadership, and foster a more comprehensive approach to campus voter registration and access to voter information via academic, institutional, and student integration.

The CCE encourages faculty and student leaders to support nonpartisan civic engagement by integrating it into academic and student life. Faculty Civic Champions will receive resources for curriculum, including an online interactive tutorial, lesson plans, and communications materials to use in the classroom. Student Civic Champions will receive similar resources including flyers and residence hall bulletin board posters. All participants will pledge to use the resources of their choice and receive recognition based on the level of participation.

All civic engagement programming including the Champion pledges can be found here.

Leadership from OHIO's Regional Higher Education have also made a commitment to encourage and support full student voter participation.

More than 1,060 institutions enrolling more than 10 million students participate in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, which supports colleges and universities in achieving excellence in nonpartisan student voter engagement.

The voter registration deadline for the state of Ohio is Monday, Oct. 7. Visit Vote411.org to make sure you're registered and that your address is up to date. Athens Campus students can also visit the Student Senate Office in Baker Center 305 for Ohio voter registration and absentee ballot request forms.

The League of Women Voters of Ohio (LWVO) will also be on OHIO’s Athens campus at 29 Park Place on Thursday, Oct. 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to help register students to vote, ignite enthusiasm about the democratic process and provide answers to questions on issues important to them. LWVO is traveling to numerous colleges and universities across the state of Ohio to help engage students on this democratic process. Each campus visit will feature music, snacks, prizes, and a range of nonpartisan voting information.