UM-Flint lauded for nation's highest student voting rate in 2022 midterms

When Alimatou Sarr, a 2024 University of Michigan-Flint graduate with a bachelor's degree in political science, joined the university's chapter of Turn Up Turnout in early 2022, the student organization was just getting started. 

"Voter registration and resources weren't a regular feature at campus events, and so our initial focus was to build relationships between our organization and different units across the university," Sarr said. "Our goal was to create a culture where voter education was considered a regular, must-have part of student-oriented events. Now you see Turn Up Turnout voting resources regularly around campus and in the community."

The fact that Turn Up Turnout was a fledgling organization leading up to the 2022 midterm elections makes the university's recent award from the All In Campus Democracy Challenge even more impressive. As the students built the organization, they also helped UM-Flint achieve the "Best in Class Award for the Highest Voting Rate at a Public Four-year Institution" and secured recognition for the highest student voter registration and student voting rate of any four-year institution in Michigan for the 2022 midterm elections. UM-Flint has also been designated a Platinum Campus, recognizing the university's 50-59% student voting rate.

Sarr worked alongside other students, including Ryan Seifferlein, Mallory Lucas, Alyssia Washington, Jacquindre Brown, and the organization's faculty advisor, professor of political science Jason Kosnoski, to develop the organization's robust infrastructure. With the support of Edie Goldenberg, professor of political science at UM-Ann Arbor, the Flint chapter began collaborating across the university's three campuses.

"I'm most proud of the work we did on the Dinners for Democracy events because it is one of the too-rare opportunities for us to work with students at the other campuses," said Seifferlein, a 2023 UM-Flint graduate with a bachelor's degree in political science and current graduate student in the master's in public administration and master's in liberal studies programs. "We would select a topic and then explore how our votes impacted it from various angles. Both virtually and in person, we came together and discussed the Enbridge 5 Pipeline, student loan debt, reproductive justice, climate change, and more."

The nonpartisan deliberative discussions are a hallmark of Turn Up Turnout, and for Kosnoski, they are the foundation of what the organization is building on campus.

"Recognition like this is wonderful and is truly a testament to all of the hard work that our student organizers put in over the past several years, but voting should be considered the end of the process, not the beginning," said Kosnoski. "Many of our students work so much harder to stay in school; they often have many responsibilities and come from under-resourced areas. These students aren't coming to us with vast experience in deliberation, debate, or collaboration across ideological lines – they often haven't had the opportunity to build these skills while growing up, and so Turn Up Turnout is the place for them to learn how to do that, to help develop their civic education and skills. Democracy begins with effective deliberation, which our students are fostering."

Current Turn Up Turnout President Brown finds the organization's expansion into high school outreach inspiring. The political science and history senior discovered his voice when he returned to his high school in Beecher to talk to students about how important it is for young people to make their voices heard.

"They seemed disengaged and disinterested initially and felt they couldn't make a difference no matter what they did. I think it can sometimes feel that way when you look at it nationally," Brown said. "But then we started talking about local issues, things they could see around their town and neighborhoods, and we explored how they could genuinely impact change in their community. That excited them, and I was incredibly proud of that."

While Turn Up Turnout collaborates across the three U-M campuses to host regular nonpartisan voter registration and education outreach events, they also work with local organizations to connect with the wider Flint community. They'll join the Arab American Heritage Council to support the organization's efforts to ensure that eligible voters in the area are registered, their registration details are up to date and they know where their polling locations are. Turn Up Turnout will also engage in door-to-door canvassing to activate the Flint community and ensure they are ready to turn out for the upcoming election.

"We are honored to be recognized by the All In Campus Democracy Challenge for having the highest voting and voter registration rates among all public four-year universities in the state," said Laurence B. Alexander, UM-Flint chancellor. "This achievement reflects our institution's deep commitment to fostering engaged and informed citizens. When our students register to vote and actively participate in elections, they are not only making their voices heard but also shaping the future of our communities and our nation.

"By voting, our students are taking on the responsibility of helping to solve the critical issues that impact us all—locally and across the country. They are stepping up as change agents, ensuring that our democracy remains inclusive and representative of the diverse perspectives and experiences of all its citizens. At UM-Flint, we are proud to play a role in empowering our students to participate in the democratic process."

Now working as a legislative aide to Rep. Natalie Price, Sarr credits her experience with Turn Up Turnout as foundational to her career success.

"It not only taught me how to work with different organizations which often had competing priorities, but also how to be an effective advocate," Sarr said. "I learned to listen more than I speak, to hear what was important to people and understand how best I can help them. Any student at UM-Flint would benefit from being part of Turn Up Turnout because it teaches you those core skills – communication, collaboration, teamwork and organizing – necessary for any job, no matter your major or career goals."

Those interested can confirm their voter registration and details by visiting the Michigan Voter Information Center.