Chapman University steps up voter engagement

Illustration by Yana Samoylova, Illustrator

Chapman University has been recognized for its efforts to boost voter participation among students through the All In Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN), a national nonpartisan initiative aimed at increasing student voter turnout. As part of this challenge, Chapman has implemented a range of activities designed to make voting more accessible and engaging for students, particularly during lower-turnout elections like the 2022 midterms.

ALL IN works with colleges across the country to create a culture of civic participation. The challenge focuses on voter registration, education and turnout, encouraging campuses to develop strategies that ensure students are informed and prepared to vote. Chapman’s efforts during the 2022 midterms earned the university the Silver Seal for a voter turnout rate between 30-39%, demonstrating a commitment to improving student engagement in the democratic process.

One of the key initiatives driving voter participation at Chapman is the All In to Vote platform, a nonpartisan tool that simplifies the voting process for students. This platform allows students to check their voter registration status, learn about ballot issues and find out where and how to vote. 

While Eric Hall, president of the Student Government Association (SGA), sees value in the All In to Vote platform for first-time voters, Director of Student Engagement Justin Koppleman pointed out that the university generally promotes TurboVote. 

"We typically promote TurboVote rather than the All In to Vote platform because it provides us with insight on how many Chapman students use a Chapman-provided resource to register. The All In to Vote platform isn’t able to provide us with that Chapman-specific (information)," Koppleman explained. "That said, I think platforms like these help minimize confusion about how to act on a motivation to participate in upcoming elections, particularly for students who may not want to register in California."

By making voting more accessible, Chapman aims to remove barriers that often prevent students from participating in elections, particularly those who may be voting for the first time or those unfamiliar with the process.

Chapman’s strategy also includes on-campus events designed to generate excitement around voting. For example, the university is hosting a Voter Registration Bash on Oct. 17, featuring games, food, and student organization involvement to encourage voter registration. Additionally, Chapman will serve as a Vote Center for the Orange County Registrar of Voters from Nov. 2 to Nov. 5, providing students and community members with a convenient location for same-day registration and voting.

Koppleman sees these events as instrumental in building long-term civic habits. 

"Events like this contribute to building habits by providing an opportunity for students to create a shared experience or memory with friends, classmates or roommates that is connected to voter registration and electoral engagement. Habits are often built with the support of those around us," he added.

Despite these efforts, student voter turnout remains a challenge, particularly during midterm elections. Historically, these elections see lower participation rates, even though they often have a direct impact on policies that affect students, such as education funding and housing regulations. Chapman’s focus is on educating students about the importance of participating in every election, not just presidential races.

As for additional efforts to boost student participation in the upcoming 2024 election cycle, Hall noted that SGA isn’t currently planning any specific events, but individual members are working on their own initiatives. 

“SGA will also be tabling at the Voter Bash on Oct. 17 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Individual SGA members might also be working on their own voter engagement initiatives. For example, Cintya is working on an event on behalf of her sorority with a speaker from the (University of California, Los Angeles) Latino Policy & Politics Institute to speak on the role Latinx populations will have on the 2024 election,” Hall added.

Chapman’s involvement in the ALL IN reflects a broader effort to build long-term civic habits among students. Research indicates that voting in one election increases the likelihood of future participation. By engaging students early, Chapman hopes to cultivate lifelong voters who remain active in the democratic process.

As the 2024 election cycle approaches, Chapman continues to prioritize voter engagement, building on the momentum from 2022 to ensure that students are informed, registered, and ready to vote.