Webster University Recognized as one of the Top Universities in the Country for Student Voter Participation

Webster students watch the 2024 debate between presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. The "watch party" was hosted by WebsterVOTES, a project that was recognized nationally this week for its success.

Webster University was awarded a gold seal by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for its nonpartisan democratic engagement the 2022 midterm elections, placing it in the top 15% among all colleges in the United States for encouraging students to be civically engaged. Nearly half of all voting-age students at Webster cast a ballot in the midterms, the organization announced this week.

The high level of voting was a direct result of the WebsterVOTES initiative orchestrated through Webster’s Office of Student Engagement.

“Civic engagement is an important part of being a citizen and understanding the issues of the day, and voting is one of the most direct ways that our students can be involved in their communities,” said Webster University Dean of Student John Buck. “Through WebsterVOTES, we help students register to vote, whether that is locally in Missouri or through an absentee ballot in their home state, and we host multiple events every election season to give students an opportunity to hear what the issues are, learn about the candidates, and make voting choices that will impact them. I congratulate all of the employees in student engagement, under the leadership of Jennifer Stewart, for this remarkable accomplishment.”

Webster University was one of only 13 colleges in Missouri to receive recognition from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, one of only two in the state to receive a gold medal or better, and among the 119 gold medal winners in the country recognized for the 2022 efforts. Altogether, more than 1,060 higher education institutions participated in the ALL In Campus Democracy Challenge during the 2022 midterm election.

Webster is already on track to try and receive recognition for the current national election. This year, Webster hosted a watch party for the presidential debates and has plans for a similar event for the upcoming vice-presidential debates. There will also be several registration drives in the next two months.  

“The ALL IN Awards were created to celebrate nonpartisan democratic engagement and the outstanding campus voter registration and turnout rates achieved by our ALL IN campuses. Ahead of the 2024 elections, ALL IN campuses are ready to build on the momentum from 2022 to ensure their communities are ready to make an even bigger impact this fall,” said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, executive director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “ALL IN is proud to celebrate and honor top-performing campuses, like Webster University, who demonstrate that nonpartisan student voter engagement is possible and effective.”