University of Minnesota Duluth Recognized for Boosting Nonpartisan Student Voting in 2024
UMD is recognized for boosting student voter participation alongside 471 colleges and universities across the nation.
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Among colleges and universities in the US, the University of Minnesota Duluth was named one among the 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting. This category includes those who have served to put effort beyond the call to increase the nonpartisan voter registration and turnout from their students in the 2024 election cycle.
UMD is among a consortium of Minnesota campuses working to encourage student civic engagement in partnership with the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, University of Minnesota-Crookston, and the University of Minnesota-Morris campuses.
UMD News reported that the university was recognized along with 471 institutions across the nation that show best practices for democratic engagement through active student involvement in the political processes.
The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge challenges colleges to take actions that promote democratic engagement. Such activities include publishing campus voting data, submitting plans for action that boost voter turnout, and getting campus leaders to pledge full student voter participation. Through such activities, UMD has been in a position to stand out as the leader in student voter engagement promotion.
UMD's ALL IN Campus Democracy Participation
UMD campus vote coordinator Jeremy Leiferman says that this award speaks volumes about the students, faculty, and staff on campus working towards inspiring civic participation. Strong campus and statewide partnerships have been built at UMD in efforts to foster a democratic culture where students recognize the significance of their voices.
Campus research through the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge has demonstrated that institutions are likely to report higher registration and turnout rates when voter engagement efforts are intentional. This year is different because, for the first time ever, more colleges are engaging with their students on this effort.
Within recent years, UMD has won several recognitions for democratic engagement efforts. Such recognitions include the 2016 and 2020 Presidential Elections, the 2018 and 2022 Midterm Elections, and various badges from student voter participation commitments. Civic engagement is being encouraged through different programs led by students, like those led by Julia Covert, a voter engagement fellow.
