The Voter Friendly Campus designation program was started through a partnership between Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project and NASPA’s NASPA LEAD Initiative in 2016. This partnership was formed as a tool to support higher education institutions fulfilling the requirements of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which necessitates that institutions distribute voter registration forms to their students. Due to the lack of instructions and guidance regarding this requirement, the Voter Friendly Campus designation process was developed in an effort to further the work of the Students Learn Students Vote coalition in creating more measurable and manageable guidelines for institutions to follow in order to create a more voter-friendly campus.
The goal of the Voter Friendly Campus program is to help institutions develop democratic engagement action plans that coordinate administrators, faculty, and student organizations in civic and electoral engagement. Participation for the inaugural cohort of institutions in 2016 enabled campuses to develop comprehensive voter engagement, education, and turnout plans. The program provided expert-led guidance for higher education institutions to offer programs and services relevant to their respective states that enhance the student experience in regards to political engagement. By participating in this program, administrators and faculty developed a strategy to engage students and set clear goals in advance of upcoming elections.
It is the belief of this program that incorporating democratic engagement into the collegiate experience creates structure and stability for students as they explore what their political beliefs are, and how they would like to engage in the democratic process.
NASPA is proud to partner with the Campus Vote Project to offer this opportunity to institutions interested in engaging students, faculty, administration, and community partners in the democratic process. This program is endorsed by our colleagues within in the Students Learn Students Vote Coalition.
Submitting a statement of interest is the first step to earning the designation, and all returning and new campuses must submit. Statements of interest will be accepted on a rolling basis until we have received submissions from 350 campuses.
Submitting a statement of interest is the first step to earning the designation, and all returning and new campuses must submit. Statements of interest will be accepted on a rolling basis until we have received submissions from 350 campuses.
Using the Strengthening American Democracy Guide, campuses must submit their action plans for feedback by April 30, 2026. Plans will be accepted after this date, but are not guaranteed to receive feedback. All plans must be submitted by September 1, 2026. Please note that September 1 is the final submission date for action plans.
Campuses should work to implement their Action plan through Election Day on November 3, 2026.
For the first time ever, campuses will have an option of conducting an oral final report in lieu of a written report. The written report must be submitted by April 30th, 2027. Alternatively, a meeting to present your oral report to a member of the VFC Team must be scheduled by this date.
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