As the 2024 election draws closer, a group of Temple students, faculty and staff have ramped up their efforts to help students get registered to vote, informed and mobilized. 

“There’s a lot of misinformation and disinformation surrounding the election. We’re hopeful that we can cut through some of that noise and be a trusted source for our students,” said Deanne DeCrescenzo, associate dean of students. “This might be the first time many of them are able to vote. It’s an opportunity to make their voice heard. It’s important to educate them so that they understand why voting is important and why being involved in the democratic process is valuable.”

This coalition, known as Temple Votes, has recently been recognized for its work. ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge has awarded the initiative’s current action plan the Highly Established Action Plan Seal. Temple is now one of 192 campuses to earn this seal thus far for the 2024 election cycle. Through this honor, the nonprofit, which aims to empower excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement at higher education institutions, acknowledges colleges and universities with strong plans to foster civic learning, political engagement and student voter participation.

“This distinction is a point of pride that demonstrates the university’s commitment to nonpartisan democratic engagement,” said DeCrescenzo.

The Temple Votes Action Plan serves as a road map outlining numerous components. It outlines the responsibilities of the coalition; its mission and vision; and how they’re integrated into student learning, the curriculum, leadership and the environmental context at Temple. Additionally, the plan features the university’s National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement (NSLVE) results—which measure student voting rates—and short- and long-term goals and strategies, among other considerations.

“The plan is meant to be a living document so that we can update it based on the current climate and make decisions based on data and feedback,” said DeCrescenzo. “We continue to think about ways we can incorporate civic engagement into the everyday experience of our students, knowing that will hopefully empower them to become lifelong voters and engaged citizens.”

Temple Votes comprises members from various departments and groups across the university including Athletics; the College of Science and Technology; Institutional Diversity, Equity, Advocacy and Leadership; Student Activities; the College of Liberal Arts; and others. This range of experiences and expertise allows the coalition to provide clear, cohesive and comprehensive voter education and engagement.

Leading up to Election Day on Nov. 5, Temple Votes is providing extensive programming to increase student voter engagement. The coalition will offer various workshops, presentations and discussions hosted by faculty and voter education organizations. They will also share videos and guides that explain the democratic process and how to vote and volunteer at the polls. Additionally, it will communicate important deadlines to register to vote and request absentee or mail-in ballots across university channels such as email and social media.

The coalition will also host tabling events and meetings about voter registration and civic engagement for student organizations. On National Voter Registration Day and Constitution Day on Sept. 17, Temple Votes will be at Howard Gittis Student Center to further promote engagement.

Its programming culminates on Election Day in Parade to the Polls in which students are led to their respective polling locations from residence halls including White, Johnson and Hardwick, 1940, Morgan, 1300, and Temple Towers.

Temple Votes has also been designated a Voter Friendly Campus by NASPA and the Campus Vote Project. Temple is one of 235 campuses to receive this two-year distinction.

The coalition formed leading up to the 2020 election, when they did significant work mobilizing student voters, including providing information about mail-in and absentee ballots.

“I see Temple Votes continuing to evolve into an inclusive community,” said DeCrescenzo. “We’ll keep learning from our efforts to understand where we need to move the needle. I’m looking forward to seeing what more we can accomplish.”

If you’d like to get involved in Temple Votes, please contact tuvotes@temple.edu.