Elon University has been designated a “Voter Friendly Campus” for its efforts to encourage students to be involved in the political process for a second time.
Elon University was named a Voter Friendly Campus, one of 258 campuses in 38 states and the District of Columbia, by Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project and NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. The initiative recognizes institutions that have planned and implemented practices encouraging students to register and vote in the 2022 elections and the coming years. This is Elon’s second time receiving the designation.
The 2023 Voter Friendly Campus designation aims to bolster institutions’ efforts to help students overcome barriers to political participation – every year, not just during years featuring federal elections. Elon was evaluated based on a written plan for how it planned to register, educate and turn out student voters in 2022, how we facilitated voter engagement efforts on our campus and a final analysis of our efforts.
“This designation highlights the excellent work happening on campus to support students as they become active and engaged citizens,” said Carrie Eaves, associate professor of political science and policy studies. “We are thrilled to again be recognized for this important work.”
The designation was awarded, in part, for the university’s work with the 2022 midterm elections. During this election, Elon collaborated with the Alamance County Board of Elections to host a one-stop early voting site in South Gym, utilized by 4,605 voters, including students, faculty, staff and community members.
“We have a dedicated group of faculty, staff and students who work each year to make sure that students have the resources that they need to cast their ballots in elections,” Eaves said. “Research shows that students who vote in college are more likely to become lifelong voters. These efforts align with the university’s goal as laid out in the Boldly Elon strategic plan to ‘prepare every student to participate in community and civic engagement, gaining essential skills and an understanding of their civic responsibilities.’”
The institutions designated Voter Friendly Campuses represent a wide range of two-year, four-year, public, private, rural and urban campuses, collectively serving over 3.5 million students. Notably, the list of designated institutions includes 49 Minority Serving Institutions and 13 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as well as 41 community colleges. Elon is one of 14 North Carolina institutions named.
NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession. Our work provides high-quality professional development, advocacy, and research for 15,000 members in all 50 states, 25 countries, and 8 U.S. territories.
Fair Elections Center is a national, nonpartisan voting rights and legal support organization that works to eliminate barriers to voting and improve election administration across the United States. Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project works with universities, community colleges, faculty, students and election officials to reduce barriers to student voting and helps campuses institutionalize reforms that empower students with the information they need to register and vote.