Harvard Institute of Politics
The Challenge
The Impact
Services
- Strategic Planning
- Program Design
- Workshops and Trainings
- Partnership Recruitment and Management



Summary
The student-led plan included an online voter registration prompt when registering for classes; in-person voter registration tables; residence-based organizing; email reminders to vote from the University; and faculty communications around National Voter Registration Day and Election Day.
The students obtained the initial budget for this program from the IOP and affiliated Centers, then successfully pitched Harvard University President Lawrence Bacow for support. In 2018, the voter turnout rate on campus more than doubled to 48%.
With added support from the Harvard University President’s Administrative Innovation Fund, the Harvard Votes Challenge expanded its program for the 2020 election, engaging numerous student organizations and athletic teams in voter engagement efforts. Additionally, HVC has reached beyond campus to initiate several coalition-style voter registration efforts with Boston universities and high schools, as well as the Ivy League.

