June 19, 2023

Delta College was recently designated as a 2023-2024 Voter-Friendly Campus by Campus Vote Project (CVP) and the NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. Delta College is one of 258 other two-year and four-year campuses from around the nation who were also recognized. 

“Getting the Voter Friendly Campus Designation puts Delta on the map for community colleges serious about engaging students in voting. While the recognition is good, the impact of the work behind it is what we are most proud of,” says Lisa Lawrason, professor of political science and co-campus coordinator of The Democracy Commitment at Delta College. “We hope that students get the sense that voting is just something that Delta College students do. It's who we are.”

The 2023 Voter Friendly Campus designation aims to support colleges and universities efforts to help students overcome barriers to participating in the political process every year, not just during years featuring federal elections. 

CVP and NASPA chose Delta based on its successful ability to register, educate, and encourage student voter turnout in 2022, facilitating voter engagement efforts on campus, and a final analysis of its actions.

“In 2022, Michigan boasted the highest youth voter turnout in the country, and this designation shows that we are doing our part to ensure the interests and voices of community colleges students are raised in the political process,” Lawrason said.

During that time, The Democracy Commitment hosted several events and initiatives, including dialogue on ballot proposals, get-out-the-vote party, voter registration drives and educating students on the importance of voting.

“When young people turn out to vote at high rates, politicians start paying closer attention to how they can better represent them. It's all about empowering them to shape their community through participating in elections,” she added.

Delta’s designation this year as a Voter-Friendly Campus will be valid through December 2024.

Campus Vote Project (CVP) is a national nonpartisan organization that works to assist campuses in conducting reforms that help to supply students with critical information on how to register and vote and decrease barriers for student voting.

The NASPA, also a national nonpartisan organization, is the leading association for the progression, health and sustainability of the student affairs profession.

For more on the Democracy Commitment at Delta or how to get involved, contact Lisa Lawrason at 989-686-9509 or lisalawrason@delta.edu.

By Ashley Terrell, Writer.