ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge Honors Higher Education Institutions, Educators and Students Who Increased Student Voter Engagement During the 2020 Elections.
On November 8, the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge hosted its third biennial awards ceremony to recognize select higher education institutions, educators, and students for their extraordinary work in student voter engagement during the 2020 presidential election. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and most students learning virtually, the honorees ensured students across the country could cast their ballots. #allinawards
The 2020 presidential election engaged the largest and most diverse group of college students in U.S. history. North Carolina Campus Compact received the 2021 Standout Local Partner Award. ALL IN called NC Campus Compact “an example in the voting space, intentional about sharing tools and resources that support partners and the campuses that work with them.”
Executive Director Leslie Garvin stated “Since 2008, North Carolina Campus Compact has been promoting student voter engagement on our member campuses. We have provided training, support, and resources. It is exciting to be recognized for these efforts. However, the greatest reward is seeing how many of our members campuses were also recognized for their accomplishments in voter engagement in 2020.” [See below]
The 2020 election cycle saw unprecedented voter registration and turnout among college students according to the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE), a research study of the Institute for Democracy in Higher Education (IDHE) at the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University. IDHE reported that 66 percent of college students voted in the 2020 election, a 14 point increase from 2016.
“The rise in voter participation and engagement for college students in last year’s presidential election amidst a global pandemic was tremendous and will undoubtedly be tied to the tireless efforts of the dedicated students, faculty, administrators, and partner organizations that are part of the ALL IN Challenge network,” said Jen Domagal-Goldman, Executive Director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “The hard work of these trailblazing honorees will help support many of the country’s future leaders in fulfilling the equitable, engaged vision of democracy to which we aspire.”
About the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge
The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) is a national, nonpartisan initiative of Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) organization. ALL IN strives for a more inclusive democracy—one in which all voices are heard. We believe that higher education plays a role in graduating students into voters and in closing electoral participation gaps that persist by race and age. Through an intentionally designed program—which provides structure, support, and recognition—ALL IN strengthens college and university efforts to improve civic learning, political engagement, and voter participation. Ensuring that students are registered to vote and participate in all elections is a key component of our work.
List of North Carolina Winning Campuses:
Best in Class Award for Highest HBCU Registration Rate
North Carolina A & T State University
Best in Class Award for Highest Community College Registration Rate
Davidson-Davie Community College
Platinum Seal (Campuses with an 80%-89% voter participation rate or higher in the 2020 Presidential Election)
- Meredith College
- NC State University
- UNC Asheville
- UNC-Chapel Hill
Gold Seal (Campuses with a 70%-79% voter participation rate or higher in the 2020 Presidential Election
- Appalachian State University
- Duke University
- East Carolina University
- Elon University
- NC A & T State University
- Queens University of Charlotte
- UNC Charlotte
- UNC Greensboro
- Wake Forest University
- Western Carolina University
Silver Seal (Campuses with a 60%-69% voter participation rate or higher in the 2020 Presidential Election
- Davidson-Davie Community College
- Elizabeth City State University
Fayetteville State University
Learn more and see a full list of winning campuses at https://allinchallenge.org/awards-ceremony