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Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg has joined more than 300 college presidents and chancellors across the country in supporting full student voter registration and participation in all elections through the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN). To further this goal, ALL IN and its Higher Education Presidents Council have launched a call to action for higher education presidents and chancellors to fully engage students in electoral participation.

“Raritan Valley Community College is proud to participate in the Higher Education Presidents’ Commitment to Full Student Voter Participation. The College’s faculty, staff, and students are committed to working together to increase electoral participation. In 2020, RVCC completed a Campus Democratic Engagement Action Plan, focusing on increasing student voting rates and encouraging students to become engaged, civic-minded citizens who are essential to a healthy democracy. We plan on continuing these efforts during this year’s critical gubernatorial and midterm elections,” said RVCC President Michael J. McDonough.

Raritan Valley Community College’s earned a “gold seal” in the 2019 ALL IN Challenge Awards for its student voter engagement. The awards recognize colleges and universities across the country that are committed to increasing college student voting rates. Institutions that earn a gold seal have achieved a student voting rate between 40-49 percent.

While college student voter participation in elections increased from the 2014 midterm election to the 2018 midterm election, less than half of college students made their voices heard by casting their ballots. According to the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement, voter turnout at the more than 1,000 institutions participating in the study increased by 21 points, from 19 percent to 40 percent.

“Today, young people are truly seeing how the decisions their elected officials make impact their everyday lives, and in this critical time, ensuring that they are able to make their voices heard safely is critical,” said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, executive director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “We are excited to partner with higher education leaders across the country to change the culture at colleges and universities around engagement in our country’s political process. We are calling on all college presidents to make this commitment to their students, campuses and communities.”

By signing the pledge, RVCC has committed to encouraging all eligible students to register to vote and cast informed ballots in the general elections and beyond. The College also has committed to fostering a campus culture that supports nonpartisan student civic learning, political engagement and student voter participation.

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge is a nonpartisan, national initiative recognizing and supporting campuses as they work to increase nonpartisan democratic engagement and full student voter participation. The Challenge encourages higher education institutions to help students form the habits of active and informed citizenship, and make democratic participation a core value on their campus. More than 200 campuses, enrolling more than 8.7 million students, have joined the Challenge since its launch in summer 2016.

Ranked by WalletHub.com and Niche.com as the #1 community college in New Jersey, Raritan Valley Community College has been serving as an academic and cultural center for Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for over 50 years. The College has been nationally recognized for its service to the community, environmental stewardship, and commitment to diversity. It is home to a Planetarium, Science Education Institute and an Honors College for high achieving students.

The College offers more than 90 associate degrees and certificates, as well as career training, small business assistance through the Small Business Development Center, and professional development courses. RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 21, 2021

Media contact: Donna Stolzer, 908-526-1200, ext. 8383

PR #98