SoCon Member Institutions Recognized For Excellence in Student Voter Registration and Turnout During the 2022 Midterm Elections

Washington, DC: Today, the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) recognized SoCon member institutions for their nonpartisan democratic engagement efforts that fostered high levels of student voter engagement in the 2022 midterm elections. The following SoCon member institutions were awarded reflecting their commitment to ensuring that nonpartisan democratic engagement is a defining feature of campus life:

Mercer University, received the Highest Voter Turnout and the Gold Seal awards 

Western Carolina University, received the Highest Turnout Registration and  

Silver Seal awards; 

Wofford College, received the Most Improved Voter Turnout and the Bronze Seal awards; 

Furman University, received the Most Improved Registration Rate at a Private 4-Year Institution Award; 

University of North Carolina – Greensboro, received the Silver Seal award; and

Samford University, received the Bronze Seal award 

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement. SoCon member institutions were recognized alongside more than 500 campuses using data from the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) out of Tufts University, which found that colleges and universities had the second-highest voter turnout among students in a midterm election since NSLVE began measuring this data. The full list of campus award winners can be viewed here.  

“We’re excited to be a part of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge and promote nonpartisan student engagement," said Terri Brne, SoCon Senior Associate Commissioner. "As the first Division I Athletic Conference Championship for democratic engagement, SoCon Votes is a powerful tool to encourage our students to become informed and active citizens. By supporting our students in their journey to the polls, we’re fostering a more inclusive and representative democracy where every voice is heard.” 

“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. “ALL IN is proud to celebrate and honor top-performing institutions, like those participating in the SoCon Votes initiative, who demonstrate that nonpartisan student voter engagement is possible and effective.” 

More than 1,060 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. Campuses can join ALL IN here.  

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ABOUT ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge: 

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) is a national nonpartisan initiative of Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) organization. The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge strives to change civic culture and institutionalize democratic engagement activities and programs on college campuses, making voter participation a defining feature of campus life. 

ALL IN, in collaboration with over 1,050 higher education institutions, seeks to make participation in local, state, and federal elections a social norm; substantially increase the number of college students who are democratically engaged on an ongoing basis, during and between elections, and not just at the polls, and; make educating for democratic engagement on college campuses an accepted and expected part of the culture and curriculum so that students graduate with the knowledge, skills, behaviors, and values needed to be an informed and active citizen.