EMU Today

YPSILANTI — Eastern Michigan University has been recognized alongside 470 universities by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge as a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for college student voting. The challenge honors colleges and universities for outstanding efforts to increase nonpartisan student voter participation, requiring institutions to showcase their dedication to student voter turnout. 

“Many folks on campus are registering to vote for the first time, which can be a daunting task,” said Sam Carter, communications and operations manager for Engage @ EMU and coordinator for the voter coalition on campus. “Students must make their voices heard, and being recognized by ALL IN reminds us that our hard work does not go unnoticed.”

During election season, Engage @ EMU’s voter coalition met with students twice weekly to assist in registration, check registration status, and apply for absentee ballots. The coalition also partnered with the Michigan Secretary of State office to track EMU voter engagement alongside Central Michigan University and Western Michigan University. Beyond hosting several student events on campus, the coalition spoke to the importance of student engagement at former senator Jesse Jackson’s Get Out The Vote Forum held on Eastern’s campus.

EMU completed the following actions to achieve ALL IN campus status: 

• Participated in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge
• Shared 2022 National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement campus voting data with ALL IN
• Developed and submitted a 2024 democratic engagement action plan
• Established a current signatory to ALL IN’s Higher Education Presidents’ Commitment to Full Student Voter Participation. 

Carter is encouraged by EMU’s campus community and hopes that universities across the country inspire their students to vote. “It's integral that universities offer their students a place to ask questions and provide safe and accurate information so that everyone eligible can participate in their civil duty.”

To learn more about Engage @ EMU, visit the website.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, EMU is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 13,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.