Wayne State builds on civic engagement reputation, Warriors aim to win 2024 Campus Voter Registration Challenge

Assistant Dean of Students Brandon Shamoun (far left) and students (left to right) Cordelia Krajewski, Rachel John and Louis Osowski are working to inspire engaged and informed voting through the Warriors Vote initiative.

As 2024 elections approach, all Warriors are encouraged to vote on or before Tuesday, Nov. 5. Students can register to vote or request an absentee ballot online through the Warriors Vote website, which also provides polling locations and nonpartisan resources around key ballot issues and candidates.

By taking these steps, Warriors can ensure their voices are heard - and help Wayne State University win the statewide Campus Voter Registration Challenge against Ferris State University and Grand Valley State University. The university with the most registrations and absentee ballot requests submitted by Oct. 21 will win.

Wayne State is nationally recognized by nonpartisan advocacy groups - including the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge and Voter Friendly Campus - for its strong voting culture and students' civic engagement. Wayne State's student voting rate in the 2022 midterm elections was 56%, almost double the national average. In 2020, a presidential election year with record-breaking national turnout, Wayne State boasted 73.5% voter participation. Most recently, ALL IN named Wayne State as a Top Campus for Voter Turnout.

For the students, by the students

Much of this success can be attributed to the student-led Warriors Vote initiative led by the Dean of Students Office and the Student Senate to encourage active and informed civic engagement. ALL IN also named Cordelia Krajewski, a senior majoring in public affairs in the Irvin D. Reid Honors College, to its student honor roll for her work with Student Senate and Warriors Vote.

"Student voices in elections are so important. As young voters, we will be most impacted by the policy decisions made by those appointed to office, so it is vital our voices are heard," Krajewski said. "Understanding this will be the first or second time many college students are voting, it is important that we provide as many credible resources as possible to ensure students are prepared, educated voters."

Warriors Vote has events scheduled throughout the fall, including a visit from the Michigan Secretary of State's mobile office Oct. 16 and the Purple Tour's Party to the Polls dance party at Michigan Central Station Oct. 26. Election Day is a university-wide holiday, with a polling location available at Detroit Precinct 149 in the Law School's Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights for campus residents.

Senior Cordelia Kraewski shares election resources with her peers on campus.

"So much of our successes with student voting can be attributed to the leadership of the students themselves," said Dean of Students David Strauss. "They have taken strong initiative through Warriors Vote and maintained great momentum and enthusiasm."

Brandon Shamoun, assistant dean of students for student involvement, activities and organizations, works closely with the Warriors Vote initiative.

"Over the years, I've seen voter engagement and civic participation on campus flourish under the guidance of dedicated student leaders who have continually stepped up to carry the torch," Shamoun said. "Each generation of students has brought their unique vision and passion, and I know Warriors are easily the most engaged student voters."

For more information about the Warriors Vote initiative and voter registration, or to learn more about key ballot issues and candidates for 2024 elections, please contact [email protected].

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