ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Muhlenberg College is one of the institutions committed to engaging students in the 2022 midterm elections.
- Muhlenberg College saw more than 80% of students turn out in the 2020 presidential elections
- The college is one of the 394 institutions participating in 2022 ALL IN Most Engaged Campuses
- Gen Z has largely shaped the election this year
Acknowledged as one of the nation’s 2022 ALL IN Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting, Muhlenberg is one of 394 college campuses recognized for its dedication to boosting nonpartisan democratic participation in the midterm election.
Back in 2020, up to 83% of Muhlenberg students voted in the presidential election, which exceeds the average college-student voting rate of 66% for all colleges and universities.
However, the voting data for this year's election will take a year to compile by the National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement (NSLVE), according to Kristine Todaro, director of news & media relations with Muhlenberg's Communications Office.
The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge is a nonprofit organization devoted to elevating higher education achievement in student democratic engagement. Participating schools were asked to share their campus voting data and a 2022 democratic engagement action plan.
So far, more than 9 million students from more than 950 institutions across all 50 states and the District of Columbia have participated.
“At Muhlenberg, non-partisan and student-led efforts to demystify the election process coupled with an institutional commitment to encourage civic engagement has made a real difference in student voter registration and turnout.”Kathleen Harring, president of Muhlenberg College
“At Muhlenberg, non-partisan and student-led efforts to demystify the election process coupled with an institutional commitment to encourage civic engagement has made a real difference in student voter registration and turnout,” Muhlenberg President Kathleen Harring said.
Muhlenberg’s achievement also demonstrates how Gen Z has played a significant role in shaping this year’s election, as 27% of voters between the ages of 18 and 29 turned out to vote nationwide.
The data indicate that the 2022 election has likely the second-highest youth turnout rate in the past 30 years, only behind the 31% of 2018.
Young voters across the Lehigh Valley, as well, have defined the election and dealt with social issues like mass shootings, inflation and civic upheaval.
