Iowa secretary of state announces collegiate voter engagement initiative
owa Secretary of State Paul Pate and stakeholders from colleges and universities across Iowa came together Monday to announce a new program aimed at encouraging voting and civic engagement among students.
Iowa State University senior Quinn Margrett told the group gathered at the Iowa Capitol Monday he’s had the opportunity to serve in many roles relating to civic engagement during his time at the university, as a former student body vice president, poll worker for multiple elections and, most recently, as a legislative clerk for Iowa House Democrats this year.
While he’s spoken with “thousands of students who were fired up and eager to act on a range of issues,” like rent, tuition and the rising cost of groceries, Margrett said many of them had never voted in a local or state election. He saw that point demonstrated with students coming to ISU’s campus polling location not sure of what to do, he said.
University programs like the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women in Politics are “leading the charge” in championing civic engagement for students, he said, and with the announcement of the Catt Collegiate Challenge, they will have a partner in the state in increasing voting among young people.
https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/02/16/iowa-secretary-of-state-announces-collegiate-voter-engagement-initiative/