Photo courtesy Maricopa County Elections Department:
Contributed Article/Courtesy the office of Arizona Secretary of State
PHOENIX – Colleges and universities can now compete for the best voter registration and turnout rates in the Arizona Campus Voting Challenge, a new nonpartisan initiative announced today by Arizona’s Secretary of State, Adrian Fontes, in partnership with the nonpartisan nonprofit initiative the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.
All higher education institutions in Arizona are invited to be a part of the Challenge. Participating colleges and universities will be eligible for awards based on voter turnout and registration rates on their campuses for the November 5, 2024 election.
“As Secretary of State, I believe in the vital role our higher education institutions play in furthering informed and active citizens,” said Secretary Fontes, “It’s about encouraging students to vote; it’s about equipping them to be thoughtful, engaged participants in our democracy. This is an essential service to our nation and the very foundation of our civic faith.”
College and university administrators, faculty, and staff can learn more and sign up at https://www.arizona.vote/allin. There is no cost to participate. Institutions that opt into the program will be provided guidance and tools to create an action plan for increasing student engagement on their campus. By signing up for the Arizona Campus Voting Challenge, all accredited, degree-granting higher education institutions across the state can improve, measure, and celebrate efforts to institutionalize nonpartisan civic learning, political engagement, and informed voter participation.
The Secretary of State is partnering with the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, a national, nonpartisan nonprofit initiative, to create a learning community for Arizona campuses and to facilitate the program. Institutions that sign up for the Arizona Campus Voting Challenge will also be automatic participants in the nationwide ALL IN where awards are issued for the highest voter turnout, most improved voter turnout, and highest rate of voter registration. As well as state-specific awards for meeting objectives mapped out in an institution’s nonpartisan democratic engagement action plan.
“Preparing students for their public lives as citizens, members of communities, and professionals in society has historically been a responsibility of higher education,” said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, Executive Director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “We are thrilled to partner with Secretary Adrian Fontes to encourage colleges and universities in Arizona to make a plan to increase student voter engagement.”
About ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge
ALL IN empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement. Through an intentionally designed program that provides structure, support, and recognition, ALL IN works to improve civic learning, political engagement, and voter participation on more than 980 campuses nationwide. ALL IN believes higher education should play a role in developing an active and informed citizenry by educating students, motivating them to engage in American democracy, and instilling the value of lifelong participation. ALL IN is an initiative of Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Learn more here.
About Civic Nation
Civic Nation is a nonprofit ecosystem for high-impact organizing and education initiatives working to build a more inclusive and equitable America. Civic Nation shifts culture, systems, and policy by bringing together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders, and influencers to tackle some of our nation’s most pressing social challenges. Five initiatives are a part of the Civic Nation family: When We All Vote, ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, It’s On Us, We The Action, and the Change Collective. Learn more here.
