NW Missouri Times

Northwest Missouri State University has achieved the designation of a Voter Friendly Campus. This recognition comes as a result of the university's efforts in encouraging student engagement in local, state, and federal elections. The honor was awarded in March by the Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project in collaboration with the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. This marks the first time Northwest has received this acknowledgment since the program's inception in 2016.

The Voter Friendly Campus program is designed to assist academic institutions in developing democratic engagement action plans. These plans aim to unite administrators, faculty, and student organizations in fostering civic and electoral involvement.

The Bearcats Vote Coalition played a crucial role in this achievement. The group, which includes members from Student Senate, the Office of Student Affairs, and academic affairs, initiated efforts in spring 2024 to boost voting interest on campus. "The Voter Friendly Campus designation signifies to students, employees and the community that we are dedicated to empowering students to be active and engaged citizens,” said Garrison Kennedy, Northwest’s student rights and responsibilities coordinator. He mentioned that the coalition's plans aim to meet strategic priorities through the collaboration of various stakeholders.

One of the focus areas of the coalition was engaging students in voting activities. They achieved this by being present at various campus events and organizing voter registration drives. Furthermore, the coalition provided resources such as sample absentee ballots to students interested in voting. Additionally, it worked closely with campus departments to enhance communication about voter registration and voting resources.

Looking ahead, the coalition plans to review its progress from this spring and continue its initiatives in preparation for the United States' mid-term elections in 2026.