Grinnell College Honored as Iowa Voting Challenge Winner

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge has awarded Grinnell College with the 2021 highest voter registration rate, highest voter turnout rate, and most improved voter turnout rate as a part of the Iowa Campus Voting Challenge. There are currently 19 states participating in the ALL IN State Voting Challenges, encompassing more than 426 institutions enrolling 4.3 million students.

“Those student registration and turnout rates would be terrific under any circumstances, but especially in the middle of a pandemic,” says Barb Trish, professor of political science and director of the Rosenfield Program. “Grinnell College students, spread all over the country, some in temporary residences, did great work determining their legal options — and following through. Hats off to our students whose sense of civic responsibility didn’t waver, even under the constraints of a public health crisis.”

According to the ALL IN Challenge report, in 2020 Grinnell College students had a registration rate of 94% and a voter turnout rate of 87%. That represents a 2-percentage point increase in registrations and a 9-percentage point increase in voter turnout compared to 2016.

The 2020 presidential election engaged the largest and most diverse group of college students in U.S. history. For the first time this year, ALL IN recognized winners of their State Campus Voting Challenges, competitions between higher education institutions in a particular state to increase nonpartisan student voter participation and engagement. Departments of State, Secretaries of State, and nonprofit partners co-facilitate the voting challenges in collaboration with the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge at Civic Nation.

About the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) is a national, nonpartisan initiative of Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) organization. ALL IN strives for a more inclusive democracy — one in which all voices are heard. They believe that higher education plays a role in graduating students into voters and in closing electoral participation gaps that persist by race and age. Through an intentionally designed program — which provides structure, support, and recognition — ALL IN strengthens college and university efforts to improve civic learning, political engagement, and voter participation. Ensuring that students are registered to vote and participate in all elections is a key component of our work.