In 2022 midterms, UMaine generated highest voter turnout among America East members

During the 2022 midterm elections, the University of Maine experienced the highest voter turnout rate across all nine members of the America East Conference, according to the national nonprofit Civic Nation. 

The accolade comes as the Department of Political Science and student-led UMaine UVote group work toward generating a high voter turnout in the upcoming 2024 general election. Those seeking to register in Maine can now do so online. UMaine UVote has guidance on its website for the campus community on voter registration and elections. 

They are also recruiting poll workers to help the town of Orono administer the election on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at the Collins Center for the Arts. Anyone interested in volunteering is encouraged to fill out their online form. 

Civic Nation recognized UMaine for the achievement on Tuesday, Sept. 10 as part of its All In Campus Democracy Challenge, which highlights colleges and universities that increase voter turnout among students and institutionalize political engagement and civic learning. UMaine’s 2022 campus voting rate, which surpassed eight other NCAA D1 schools across the Northeast, also earned it a Gold Seal, granted to institutions with rates ranging from 40-49%. 

The Department of Political Science and UMaine UVote have hosted many events and offered several resources to promote voting among students over the years. UMaine UVote ambassadors conduct classroom visits, hold voter registration drives, offer information sessions and contact peers directly. The ambassadors and their peers have also volunteered as poll workers during previous elections.