This month, Arapahoe Community College earned the Platinum Seal from the ALL IN Challenge Campus Democracy Challenge, a national awards program that recognizes colleges and universities for their commitment to increasing student voting. Higher education institutions and universities participating in this challenge are motivated to strengthen student participation in civic engagement to inspire generations of engaged citizens for a healthy democracy.

Participants in the challenge are nationwide colleges, over 6.7 million students partaking from 1,073 campuses. All institutions and universities participating are recognized with the Bronze, Gold, Silver or Platinum Seal. Recipients of the Platinum Seal showed 50 percent or higher student voter participation in the 2018 midterm elections. ACC won the Silver Seal last year for participation in the 2016 presidential election.

Across the state of Colorado on Nov. 5, voters cast their midterm election ballots to elect mayors and city council members but to also have their say in issues and propositions affecting their communities. Results can be found here.

In 2012, the United States Department of Higher Education issued a “call to action” challenging colleges and universities to support academic programs and experiences designed to increase student civic learning and engagement in our democracy. Since 2012, the National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement (NSLVE) has been assisting higher education institutions and universities in tracking and breaking down student voter registration and turnout by age, gender, field of studies, etc.

The Arapahoe Pinnacle previously reported Constitution Day Trivia hosted by Student Life at ACC to raise awareness for the voting season among students in September. This is one of the many ways that ACC promotes civic engagement on all three campuses.

In 2020, Colorado residents can register to vote up until election day at the ballot, or you can register online at govotecolorado.com eight days prior to election day to receive a ballot by mail. Presidential primary elections take place on Mar. 3, 2020 and general elections on Nov. 3, 2020.