Vermont Campus Voting Challenge

January 24 2024

Montpelier, VT – Colleges and universities can now participate in the Vermont Campus Voting Challenge, a new nonpartisan initiative announced today by Vermont’s Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas, in partnership with the nonpartisan nonprofit the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.

All higher education institutions in Vermont are invited to be a part of the Challenge. Participating colleges and universities will be eligible for awards based on achieving their campus goals for the November 5, 2024, election.

“The Vermont Campus Voting Challenge is a great addition to all of the civics education and engagement work my office has been focused on since I took office last year,” said Secretary Copeland Hanzas, “I know we have engaged college students here in Vermont and any extra incentive for them to get energized about voting is fantastic. I can’t wait to see the results of our partnership with ALL IN as November’s General Election draws closer.”

College and university administrators, faculty and staff can learn more and sign up at https://sos.vermont.gov/secretary-of-state-services/civics/vermont-campus-voting-challenge/. There is no sign-up 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 Vermont 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 Vermont Secretary of State is partnering with the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, a national, nonpartisan nonprofit, to create a learning community for Vermont campuses and to facilitate the program. Institutions that sign up for the Vermont Campus Voting Challenge will also be automatic participants in the nationwide ALL IN where awards are issued for highest voter turnout, most improved voter turnout, and highest rate of voter registration. There are also 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 Copeland Hanzas to encourage higher education institutions in Vermont 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.