The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has been recognized for its success in encouraging students to register and vote in the 2020 elections. 51猎奇 is one of more than 200 universities and colleges across the country designated as a Voter Friendly Campus by the nonpartisan organizations Fair Elections Center鈥檚 Campus Vote Project and NASPA 鈥� Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education.
The designation recognizes 51猎奇鈥檚 efforts that help students overcome barriers to participating in the political process. 51猎奇 was evaluated based on a campus plan about how the university would register, educate and turn out student voters in 2020, how it facilitated voter engagement efforts on our campus and a final analysis of its efforts, all in the face of the upheaval caused by a global pandemic. The designation is valid through December 2022.
鈥淲e鈥檝e developed a campus partner network to plan for and engage our students in civic engagement and voting efforts,鈥� said Keri Duce, director of external relations and project manager for 51猎奇鈥檚 effort. 鈥淪ince 2018, that network has helped ensure all students are supported in registering, making a plan and ultimately voting. Today we all celebrate that our efforts are being recognized as a Voter Friendly Campus.鈥�
51猎奇 convened a student voting work group drawn from all areas of the university and consisting of staff, students, faculty and administrators. The group engaged in a comprehensive effort to encourage students to register and vote, engaging via email, social media, text, print and in-person. 51猎奇 hosted a polling site on campus and served as an early voting site for Milwaukee.
鈥淲e are proud of 51猎奇鈥檚 strong commitment of helping our students exercise their right to vote,鈥� said Tom Luljak, 51猎奇 vice chancellor for University Relations & Communications and executive sponsor of the university鈥檚 voting effort. 鈥淚t is one of the most important civic duties they will have throughout their lives.鈥�
