Illinois State University was named a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. The designation recognized 471 colleges and universities nationwide for outstanding efforts to increase nonpartisan student voter participation.

“It is an honor for the University to be recognized for its continued voter engagement efforts, aligning to our core value of community and civic engagement,” said Illinois State University President Aondover Tarhule. “Thanks to a strong action plan developed by the Center for Civic Engagement and the assistance of many campus units, we achieved record-breaking voter turnout numbers this election cycle.”

According to data from the McLean County Clerk’s Office, 3,586 people voted in the Bone Student Center during early voting, with 3,233 people voting in the Bone Student Center on Election Day. Both numbers represent record-breaking voter turnout since the campus location became a universal polling place, open to all registered County voters.

With the support of the campus community and under the direction of Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) Associate Director Paige Buschman, Illinois State delivered key voter engagement information this fall semester from registration support to ballot initiatives through numerous presentations and tabling events. As a result, nearly 1,400 students engaged with the University’s TurboVote page between July and November.

“I am grateful to Paige, the entire Voter Engagement Coalition, and all of our campus and community volunteers for their efforts to educate the campus about the election,” said Dr. Katy Strzepek, CCE director. “It is wonderful to see their work recognized by ALL IN.”

In July, the University received ALL IN’s Highly Established Action Plan Seal ahead of the 2024 election cycle. This new recognition certifies the implementation and success of that plan.

“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. This year, we saw more colleges than ever before step up their efforts to ensure that their students were registered and ready to make their voices heard at the ballot box,” said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, executive director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “These Most Engaged Campuses are setting the standard for nonpartisan civic engagement work for colleges and universities across the country.”

Campuses that join the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge complete a set of action items to enhance nonpartisan civic learning and voter participation on their campus. The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge currently engages 10.8 million students from more than 1,075 institutions in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.