2. Why is this important?
“The vote is the most powerful
instrument ever devised by man
for breaking down injustice and
destroying the terrible walls which
imprison men because they are
different from other men. ”
― Lyndon B. Johnson
36th U.S. President
3. Why is this important...continued
According to the 1998 amendment to the
Higher Education Act of 1965, colleges and universities
receiving federal funds must make a good-faith effort
to distribute voter registration forms to every student,
and to make those forms widely available on campus.
4. What’s Happening in Practice...
A newly released study by Harvard University's
Institute of Politics and the Chronicle of Higher
Education found that fewer than 17 percent of schools
are in full compliance, and one-third are not even
making minimal efforts.
6. Interpreting the Data...
Educational attainment is an important
predictor of electoral participation.
Young peoplethe highest turnoutdegree or
more reported
with a bachelor’s
rates.
College students were more likely to vote
than non-students.
7. Five Strategies for
Getting New Students Registered & Engaged
(1) start early, recommend voter registration forms are
included in all "welcome packages" for newly-admitted
students
(2) information about voting be made visible at all college
dorms, gathering spots and in university classrooms
(3) develop a simple website to direct students to
registration information and on how to get started
(4) hold voter registration drives at Fall campus events
(5) make it fun, bring in speakers, films, politicians and
musical artist to excite, entertain and inform
