"Progress is calling to you to make no pause. Act.”
Carrie Chapman Catt
Image of Carrie Chapman Catt
Background
The Carrie Chapman Catt Award is a voter registration initiative tailored for Iowa high schools. Schools that achieve a voter registration rate of at least 90% among their eligible senior class will earn the prestigious Carrie Chapman Catt Award, named after the renowned Iowan leader of the women’s suffrage movement. Schools reaching 50% and 70% registration will also receive statewide recognition. Our mission is to equip schools with the necessary resources for conducting two successful voter registration drives.
Kicking it off in 2019, Secretary Paul D. Pate wanted to initiate the conversation with 17-year-olds across the state. Iowa allows 17-year-olds to register to vote as long as they are at least 18 years old at the time of the general election in which they are voting. In 2024, a record breaking 44 high schools obtained the Carrie Chapman Catt Award for registering 90% or more of their eligible students to vote!
How To Get Involved
In August, before the general school year begins, the sign-up information will be posted here on our website.
You will fill out the form with information regarding the senior class and submit to our office.
After we receive the information, we will mail you an Action Kit that will contain all the information you need to begin planning your registration drive!
After completing your voter registration drives, please follow these two steps:
Mail Physical Forms: Use a prepaid shipping label (available upon request) to send any paper registration forms to the appropriate county auditor. Email cattaward@sos.iowa.gov to request a label and include the county that you’ll need labels for.
Submit Virtual Registrations: Send student registration data (accepted formats: Excel, Google Sheets, PDF, or Word) to cattaward@sos.iowa.gov . Be sure to include full names and birthdates of students.
This information will be used solely by the Secretary of State's office for verification purposes. It will not be sold or shared.
NOTES: - Only eligible students should be participating in this registration drive. That means all senior students that are U.S. Citizens and 17 years or older at the time of registration. - The 90% benchmark is established by the senior class size as indicated in the sign-up form. Juniors who are 17 years old and participate in the program will not be credited toward your senior class size total.
For any questions or comments regarding this program, please contact cattaward@sos.iowa.gov
We’re excited to announce that registration for the 2025–2026 Catt Awards opens on August 28, 2025! This annual program celebrates the dedication, creativity, and impact of schools across the state as they champion voter registration efforts and foster civic participation among students.
Whether you're returning or joining us for the first time, we applaud your school’s commitment to helping students engage in civic life, as well as taking a step toward meeting Iowa Code 48A.23 related to voter registration among eligible students. We can’t wait to see how your school will excel this year as part of a statewide movement to inspire the next generation of informed, active citizens.
To sign up, access this form on August 28, 2025, until March 26, 2026.
Resources for Catt Participation 2025-2026
Iowa Code Direct Links
§ 48A.23 – Registration at Educational Institutions
Learn More About Carrie Chapman Catt
Read the historic speeches given by Carrie Chapman Catt at Carrie Chapman Catt | Archives of Women's Political Communication
Discover educational media about Catt’s fight for women’s right that are split into specific topics at Carrie Chapman Catt: Warrior for Women | Carrie Chapman Catt: Warrior for Women | PBS LearningMedia
Carrie Chapman Catt—Leading the Way for Women's Rights | Iowa PBS , an Iowa PBS documentary detailing her role in securing the 19th Amendment along with her other achievements.
Listen to Carrie Chapman Catt's Legacy | Karen M. Kedrowski , an interview with the Iowa State University Director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center, Karen Kedrowski, for her insightful knowledge of Catt
Previous Years Catt Award Results