UMSL has been named to ALL IN Campus Democracy’s inaugural list of the Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting.
The University of Missouri–St. Louis is once again earning high marks for its commitment to student voting.
After being named among America’s ‘Best Colleges for Student Voting’ for the fifth year in a row earlier this fall, UMSL has been named to ALL IN Campus Democracy’s list of the Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting. The university is one of 394 colleges and universities on the inaugural list, which recognizes institutions that “worked to increase nonpartisan student voter registration, education and turnout and ensure equitable access to the polls for their campus community.”
“The research is clear: colleges and universities that make intentional efforts to increase nonpartisan democratic engagement have higher campus voter registration and voter turnout rates,” ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge Executive Director Jennifer Domagal-Goldman said in a statement. “Despite ongoing obstacles, these campuses have remained dedicated in their commitment to ensuring that their students are informed and confident voters.”
This year, UMSL’s Civic Engagement Coalition, which plans and supports various programs and opportunities throughout the year to encourage active civic participation, put together a comprehensive 2022 democratic engagement plan for campus focused on voter registration and educational opportunities.
One of the group’s main goals was to have a polling place on campus for Election Day and early voting. With the help of UMSL leadership, they were able to partner with the St. Louis County Board of Elections to make the Millennium Student Center available as a polling place for those on campus and in the surrounding community.
“We are so excited to receive this recognition, which acknowledges the ongoing efforts of our students, staff and faculty to support engagement and participation in civic life,” said Patricia Zahn, UMSL’s director of community engagement and outreach. “I am really proud of our collaborations across campus departments working together to make UMSL a 2022 Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting and am grateful for the opportunities to lead these efforts.”
