6 ways to get college students on campus excited about voting

From holding registration drives to spreading the word about how easy it is to vote in Michigan, here’s how to encourage civic engagement on your campus.

One of the best ways for college students to make their voices heard and influence their future is by engaging in elections and encouraging their classmates to do the same. But generating excitement around voting can be challenging on a busy campus. It can require creativity and stepping outside of your comfort zone.

That’s why today, we’ve rounded up six ways to motivate your fellow students on campus this election season.

Share easy-to-understand voting information

Students may feel overwhelmed or confused by how voting works, especially if it’s their first time. Making information about how the voting process works easily available is key to breaking these barriers. Sharing easy-to-understand guides on how to register to vote, where to vote, how to get an absentee ballot, and what to expect on election day can help inform students and ease voting anxiety. Luckily, we’ve got everything they need to know in our 2024 Michigan Voting Guide.

The Michigan Secretary of State also has tons of resources online, like posters and flyers you can print out and post around campus, that let people know their rights when it comes to voting.

Highlight the impact of voting

Students may feel their vote doesn’t matter. When students understand the impact of their vote and feel supported in their efforts to participate, they are more likely to become lifelong voters. Highlight the direct impact elections can have on issues that directly impact students, like tuition costs, loan forgiveness, and economic policies. It’s also important to highlight topics students feel deeply about, such as gun violence, social justice issues, and climate change. Connecting voting to issues students care about makes voting more relevant and urgent. 

Promote absentee voting

Traveling during election day may be challenging or impractical for students, which can discourage them from voting. One action to consider is raising awareness about the availability of absentee ballots. Many students may not even realize this option exists, or they might be unaware of how it works. We’ve put together a clear, step-by-step guide on how to request, complete, and return an absentee ballot—including information about important deadlines and how missing these can disqualify a vote.

Are you ready to vote? Make sure to check your voter registration status, see who’s on your ballot, and make a voting plan here.

Integrate voting into campus life

Another great way to boost civic participation on your campus is by incorporating voting information into everyday student activities. Integrating voter registration booths into on-campus events, like sports games, can make registering to vote more accessible and convenient for students. This makes voting less of a chore and more of an anticipated activity among students on campus. We’ve put together a guide on how to hold a voter registration drive, which you can find right here.

Peer-to-peer campaigning

Students respond best to messages from their peers. Establish a network of student ambassadors passionate about voting (consider joining a group like the MI Students Vote Network). These ambassadors can lead voter registration drives, host informational sessions, and share personal stories about why voting matters. By leveraging peer influence, you create a more relatable reason for participation.

Make voting fun!

Encourage student organizations dedicated to civil engagement to find creative ways to make voting enjoyable. Host election themed events, like watch parties for debates and election results. Provide food, games, and prizes at the events to encourage students to join. 

Create friendly competitions between dorm halls to see who can register the most voters. Offer prizes to the hall with the most students registered. These all add an element of fun to the voting process.