Indiana University South Bend has been recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for its nonpartisan democratic engagement efforts that fostered high levels of student voter engagement in the 2022 midterm elections.
ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge Bronze Shield graphicIU South Bend received the Bronze Seal, reflecting its commitment to ensuring that nonpartisan democratic engagement is a defining feature of campus life.
“Our students are engaged in the political process and understand the importance of exercising their right to vote,” said IU South Bend Chancellor Susan Elrod. “We’re proud of the effort student groups put into increasing voter participation both on campus and in our community at large.”
Since partnering with ALL IN in 2016, the IU South Bend campus has been recognized as a bronze campus in the 2016 presidential election for a student voting rate of more than 50%, a gold campus in the 2018 midterms for a student voting rate of more than 40%, and a silver campus in the 2020 presidential election for a student voting rate of more than 60%.
“Voting is a habit, and it is important to instill that habit in each new generation if we are to sustain and strengthen our democratic republic,” said Elizabeth Bennion, Chancellor’s Professor of Political Science and Director of Community Engagement at IU South Bend. “To have a representative democracy, people from all age groups, occupations, and backgrounds need to participate in the electoral process. This includes student voters.”
The American Democracy Project (ADP) at IU South Bend has a busy season of voter registration, education, and mobilization activities planned – working with students across the ideological spectrum.
Outreach efforts started last week with a presidential debate watch party. Approximately 85 people packed the community building in student housing, including students who were preparing to vote for the first time. The campus will mark Constitution & Citizenship Day on September 17 with voter registration tables across campus, a celebration at the center of campus with free food, giveaways, voter registration, and information about the Constitution and voting requirements.
ADP also partners with the League of Women Voters of the South Bend Area, the South Bend Tribune, and candidates from all political parties to produce an online voter guide. Voters can go to vote411.org to learn more about the candidates on their St. Joseph County ballots.
“Our goal is always to allow voters to hear candidates discuss their policies and priorities in their own words. We never rate, rank, or endorse any candidate or political party. Rather, we give candidates a platform to express their views and to reach out to Republican, Libertarian, Democratic, and independent voters of all ages,” Bennion said.
Efforts on campus are supported by grants from the Community Engaged Alliance, the Students Learn Students Vote Coalition, and from NonProfit Vote’s National Voter Registration Day organization.
“The ALL IN Awards were created to celebrate nonpartisan democratic engagement and the outstanding campus voter registration and turnout rates achieved by our ALL IN campuses. Ahead of the 2024 elections, ALL IN campuses are ready to build on the momentum from 2022 to ensure their communities are ready to make an even bigger impact this fall,” said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, Executive Director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.
More than 1,000 institutions enrolling more than 10 million students participate in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, which supports colleges and universities in achieving excellence in nonpartisan student voter engagement.
