Carrie Chapman Catt Award

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate kicked off a new voter registration initiative on September 10, 2019 aimed at Iowa high school students. Every school in Iowa that signs up and registers at least 90 percent of their eligible students to vote will receive the Carrie Chapman Catt Award, named after the Iowan who was a national leader in the women’s suffrage movement. Schools that register 50% and 70% of their eligible students will also receive statewide recognition.

“A record number of Iowans are registered to vote, and schools across the state have stepped up in a big way the past few years to get students registered,” Secretary Pate said. “I hope these positive trends will continue. It’s vital that we engage students in the electoral process.”

State law allows 17-year-olds to register to vote in Iowa. They can also participate in primary elections if they will be 18 years old in time for the general election.

Unsure if your school has signed up? Check out this sign-up map below to see which school statewide are participating:

Will you help organize the Carrie Chapman Catt Award at your school? Your school could earn the award in as little as four easy steps:

Step 1: Register to sign up for the 2023-2024 Carrie Chapman Catt Award.

Step 2: Receive your Action Kit and begin planning and promoting your voter registration drive

Step 3: Conduct your drive and mail all voter registration forms and pledge cards to the appropriate recipient

Step 4: Receive your award!

Check back this September for more information on signups and award tracking.

OUR HASHTAG FOR THE 2023-2024 CARRIE CHAPMAN CATT AWARD: #BEAVOTER

Encourage your students, teachers, and schools to use the hashtag #BEAVOTER on social media posts they upload during the Carrie Chapman Catt Award. We may feature them on the Iowa Secretary of State’s official social media accounts and press releases. Together, we can make #BEAVOTER trend and showcase your school’s achievement.

*Eligible students refers to all senior students at your high school who are US citizens and at least 17 years old.

*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 all questions, comments, or outside inquiries, please contact Gracie.Redel@sos.iowa.gov or call (515) 725-0182.

For information and official results regarding the 2022-2023 Carrie Chapman Catt Award, please click here.

For information and official results regarding the 2021-2022 Carrie Chapman Catt Award, please click here.

For information and official results regarding the 2020-2021 Carrie Chapman Catt Award, please click here.

For information and official results regarding the 2019-2020 Carrie Chapman Catt Award, please click here.