Milwaukee City Wire

UWM has been acknowledged by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for its initiatives to encourage student voting. The university is among 471 institutions recognized as a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting, highlighting efforts to boost nonpartisan student voter participation.

UWM fulfilled all necessary criteria, including involvement in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge and the Higher Education Presidents’ Commitment to Full Student Voter Participation. The Panthers Vote webpage provides students with essential voting information, such as polling locations, registration details, and ballot content.

Abby Meddaugh, associate dean of students and leader of UWM’s Panthers Vote initiative, emphasized additional strategies employed by the university to engage students in voting. On significant civic occasions like National Voter Registration Day and Constitution Day, UWM organized tabling sessions at the Student Union to address voting-related inquiries about registration, polling sites, residence proof, and absentee voting.

To enhance registration and turnout, event-specific signage was displayed across campus venues such as the union and residence halls. The Panthers Vote team participated in activities like the Constitution Day reading at UWM Peck School of the Arts to provide voter information.

Voting facilities were available on campus at the Welcome Center for student residents during both primary and general elections. The Panthers Vote team assisted with residence proof and address updates.

Other outreach efforts included participation in the Do Something Story Booth series at Spaights Plaza for voter information distribution, engaging students through events like Pizza to the Polls during National Voter Education Week, and hosting a VP Debate Watch party in the Student Union.