US EditionIowa Colleges Join Challenge to Boost Young Voter Engagement
The challenge involves 11 colleges competing to boost voter registration among 18- to 24-year-olds, who have the lowest turnout in Iowa elections, officials said.
- Secretary Paul Pate launched the Catt Collegiate Challenge to boost civic engagement and voter registration among college students ages 18-24, with at least 11 Iowa colleges and universities signed up.
- Targeting the turnout gap among 18-24-year-olds, the challenge builds on the Carrie Chapman Catt Award that rewards high schools registering at least 90% of eligible students, addressing their low voter turnout.
- Participating colleges will host voter registration drives and civic activities and will compete for recognition at the Voter Engagement Summit, set for April 9-10, with 250+ drives planned across Iowa in partnership with state and local entities.
- Ten Iowa colleges are set to participate, including Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa and Cornell College, while student leader Quinn Margrett said, `A disheartening number of students came`.
- Pate linked the challenge to America 250 and emphasized research: `This is particularly important because research has consistently shown that young people that are taught how to register to vote, and encouraged to register to vote at a young age, are more likely to build lifelong habits of civic engagement and participation`, Pate said.
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Iowa Capital Dispatch
Iowa secretary of state announces collegiate voter engagement initiative
Representatives from Iowa colleges and universities joined Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate Feb. 16, 2026 for a press conference announcing a new initiative for student voters. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Iowa Secretary of State)Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate and stakeholders from colleges and universities across Iowa came together Monday to announce a new program aimed at encouraging voting and civic engagement among students. Iowa…
Secretary Pate launches challenge to encourage Iowa college and university students to register to vote
Edited release 02/17/26 Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate and representatives from Iowa colleges and universities are launching a new statewide voter registration initiative aimed at increasing voter participation among Iowa’s youth voters. The Catt Collegiate Challenge will work with post-secondary institutions across the state to host voter registration drives and promote healthy competition among Iowa campuses. Participating Iowa institutions…
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