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Dustin Luca
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WASHINGTON D.C. – Salem State University today received a Silver Seal for its efforts to register and get students to vote in the 2022 midterm elections.
Today, the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge recognized Salem State for its nonpartisan democratic engagement efforts fostering high levels of student voter engagement in 2022’s pandemic-impacted midterm elections. The Silver Seal is awarded to institutions that saw between 30 and 39% of the campus hit the polls. With the highest voter engagement in public education in Massachusetts, Salem State was the only public college or university to receive a silver seal. A diverse crowd of state colleges and universities received bronze as part of ALL IN’s Awards Day on Tuesday.
“Casting a ballot on election day is among the highest responsibilities a citizen has. With our campus community about to embark on one of the most consequential elections in their lifetime, we’re honored to be recognized for our student voter engagement efforts in the last major election cycle,” university President John D. Keenan said. “Civic engagement is at the core of our mission here at Salem State University, and there’s no greater way to support the civic health of the Commonwealth than through voter engagement efforts.”
The honor comes barely a month after Salem State was awarded a “Highly Established Action Plan” seal by ALL IN for its plans to support student voting in this year’s elections. That took place simultaneous to the release of a report by the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) out of Tufts University, which featured two Salem State student engagement volunteers on the cover and a piece inside celebrating Salem State’s practices. To view that release, click here.
“Voter engagement and civic participation are hallmarks of a Salem State Education,” said Cynthia Lynch, assistant vice provost for the Center for Civic Engagement. “It is wonderful to be recognized for excellence in student voter registration and turnout during the 2022 midterm elections from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. The 2022 fall election was a difficult election to navigate and draw participation in given the COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts on campus life at the time, so receiving this award is extra special.”
Those efforts from 2022 were captured and shared nationally by Tufts’ NSLVE report, which dedicated a page in the report to discuss that year’s Voterpalooza, Salem State’s student ambassador program and more.
“As we head into the 2024 presidential election, we recognize that 18- to 29-year-olds are the largest and most diverse group of potential voters, and that gives them the power to elect candidates who will fight for the issues and futures they care about,” Lynch said. “The Berry Institute of Politics has welcomed students to campus, and our Viking Vote Ambassadors are making sure they are registered to vote if they are able and leading a robust Get Out the Vote effort the week before the election.”
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.
“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 campuses, like Salem State University, who demonstrate that nonpartisan student voter engagement is possible and effective.”