This September, Gettysburg College earned a Silver Seal from the ALL IN Democracy Challenge—a national and nonpartisan initiative to encourage informed participation, citizenship, and civic learning in higher education.
The National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) reported that nearly 35% of Gettysburg College students voted in the 2022 midterm election. This rate is higher than the national average of the more than 1,000 institutions across all 50 states and the District of Columbia that are a part of this report. This status is a testament to Gettysburg College’s commitment to civic engagement, preparing its students to lead lives of consequence as engaged citizens.
The College also earned a Silver Seal during the 2018 midterm election, which saw an increase in student voter registration from 2014 to 2018. For the 2020 presidential election, Gettysburg College earned platinum status, reporting that 80% of Gettysburg College students voted.
“For the past three election cycles, students have come together in ad hoc coalitions to increase voter registrations and voter turnout,” said Jeffrey Rioux, director of the Center for Public Service. “Their energy and commitment are evident in the increased voter registration rate with each cycle. Obviously, midterm elections see less voters across all age categories, but this fall, we are seeing the same passion as students on campus prepare for the important election on Nov. 5.”
The NSLVE report launched in 2013 at Tufts University, building a student voting database representing nearly 1,200 colleges and universities across the nation. Thus far, it has analyzed the 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022 federal elections and the more than 10 million students who have voted each election year.
By Megan Miller
Posted: 09/10/24