Mercer Featured in Washington Monthly’s First-ever Ranking of Best Colleges for Student Voting

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MACON – Mercer University was recently named to Washington Monthly’s 2018 America’s Best Colleges For Student Voting. A part of the publication’s annual College Guide and Rankings – which rates colleges and universities on their contributions to social mobility, research and public service – this is a first-of-its-kind list of the schools doing the most to turn students into citizens.

Mercer’s inclusion on the list demonstrates the commitment the University has made to promote civic engagement among its student body, encouraging students to vote and actively participate in community decisions.

“Since voting habits tend to crystallize in young adulthood – vote in one election, and you’re far more likely to do so again – colleges and universities have an unparalleled opportunity to create voters not just for the next election, but for life. The colleges that invest in student voting aren’t just helping their Washington Monthly rankings – they’re helping the country,” reads the College Guide and Rankings.

Ensuring that the nation’s young people – its future leaders – are inspired to engage civically is key to strengthening democracy. On many college and university campuses, less than half of eligible student voters exercise their democratic right to cast a ballot in presidential elections.

To do its part in improving youth civic engagement, Mercer participates in the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE), which offers colleges and universities an opportunity to learn their student registration and voting rates.

Mercer also joins in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, a national, nonpartisan awards program recognizing colleges and universities for improving civic learning, political engagement and student voting rates. As a part of this initiative, students, faculty and staff work together to develop and implement an action plan to improve practice and change culture, displaying a commitment to graduating active and informed citizens.