Voter Registration Record

Center for Civic Engagement effort registers 96 percent of freshmen class.

A record-setting 96 percent of the eligible voters in the freshmen class registered to vote thanks to NU Votes, an initiative of Northwestern’s Center for Civic Engagement.

This fall the CCE launched NUVotes.org, a customized voter registration website built in conjunction with the national nonprofit Vote.org. The site makes it easier for students to register to vote, change their voter registration information or request absentee ballots. “It’s as close as you can get to a one-stop shop for voter registration,” says CCE associate director Rob Donahue ’97.

The CCE also staffed in-person registration stations at residence halls on move-in day. The 96 percent voter registration record is the highest percentage recorded since NU Votes launched in 2011.

In addition to voter registration efforts, Northwestern also made efforts to improve voter education and participation throughout the election season, offering free shuttles to those participating in early voting and hosting debate watch parties. The Northwestern Pritzker School of Law canceled classes on Election Day to allow students time to volunteer at the polls.