Catt Collegiate Challenge - Institutional Registration | Iowa Secretary of State

What Does Institutional Participation Look Like?

Registration

Institutions can visit here to register for the Catt Collegiate Challenge. Once signed up, participating schools will receive an action kit with materials and guidance to host voter registration drives on their campuses.

Voter Registration Drives

Campuses plan and host their voter registration drives, in accordance with Iowa Code 48A.23(2) for state-funded institutions. After completing the drives, completed registration forms are submitted to the appropriate county auditor’s office. If needed, our office can provide prepaid shipping labels to simplify this process.

Voter Turnout Measurement

A key part of the Catt Collegiate Challenge is tracking student voter turnout. Participating campuses must join the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE), which provides each institution with a report on their student voter participation. This report must then be sent to our office. Schools with the highest turnout statewide will be celebrated for their achievements and considered for the prestigious Catt Award during the following Voter Engagement Summit.

Voter Engagement Summit

An annual statewide event that brings together students, campus leaders, and campus faculty to advance civic engagement. Participating schools share best practices, attend breakout sessions, and learn strategies to increase voter registration and turnout on their campuses. The Summit also serves as the moment to recognize outstanding campuses, with the school achieving the highest student voter participation during a statewide election receiving the prestigious Catt Award.

For any questions regarding this program, please contact cattaward@sos.iowa.gov.

Resources

Facilitator Guide
Voter Registration Drive Checklist
National Study of Learning, Voting, and Education Website
Iowa Voter Registration Form
Online Voter Registration Form
National Mail Voter Registration Form

Promotional Materials

Iowa Code Direct Links

§ 48A.23 – Voter Registration Drives at Educational Institutions

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should serve as our primary contact when signing up?

Ideally, a faculty member, staff leader, or civic engagement coordinator who can coordinate events, track progress, and communicate with our office.

Is there a cost to participate?

No. Both the Catt Collegiate Challenge and the Voter Engagement Summit are free for all Iowa institutions.

National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE)

What is the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE)?

The National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) is administered by the Institute for Democracy & Higher Education (IDHE) at Tufts University. It provides participating campuses with confidential reports detailing their students’ voter registration and turnout rates, based on student enrollment and public voting records.

What if my institution is already signed up for the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE)?

Perfect! Simply send proof of participation to cattaward@sos.iowa.gov to ensure you’re included in Catt Collegiate Challenge recognition.

Where do I sign up for the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE)?

To sign up for NSLVE, download and complete the authorization form on the NSLVE website, and email it to NSLVE@tufts.edu. Once you have received your confirmation, forward that to cattaward@sos.iowa.gov.

When will schools receive their National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) reports after an election?

According to the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE), participating colleges and universities can expect to receive their institutional reports about 12 to 14 months after each statewide election.

Voter Engagement Summit

What is the Voter Engagement Summit?

The Voter Engagement Summit is a statewide gathering designed to equip student leaders, faculty, and campus partners with the tools, knowledge, and connections needed to build strong, sustainable voter engagement efforts on their campuses.

The Summit includes:

Workshops and breakout sessions led by civic engagement experts and experienced campus practitioners
Networking opportunities to exchange ideas, share strategies, and learn from peer institutions
Interactive trainings on organizing registration drives, boosting voter turnout, and strengthening democratic participation among student voters

For more information, click here.

Who is able to attend the Voter Engagement Summit?

Who Can Attend:

Students from any Iowa postsecondary institution
Faculty, administrators, and staff from Iowa colleges and universities
Campus organizations, student government leaders, and other campus-based groups involved in civic engagement

Attendance is completely free, and institutions are welcome to send as many representatives as they wish, based on event capacity.

What Does Institutional Participation Look Like?

Registration

Voter Registration Drives

Voter Turnout Measurement

Voter Engagement Summit

Resources

Promotional Materials

Iowa Code Direct Links

Frequently Asked Questions

Administration

Business Services

Elections & Voter Registration

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