National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning & Engagement (CIRCLE)

In January 2012, the U.S. Department of Education issued a “call to action” challenging colleges and universities to support academic programs and experiences designed to increase student civic learning and engagement in democracy. Many campuses already support civic learning experiences. We know very little, however, about whether these experiences increase the knowledge, skills, and commitment students will need to engage in democracy, in politics, policymaking, and social action. Voting is by no means the only indicator of civic engagement, but it is fundamental. Studying the voting rates of students provides an important measure that can catalyze improvements in academic programs and co-curricular experiences.

NSLVE is the first and only study to objectively examine student and institution-level data on student voting and to share these data with participating campuses. Cal Poly Humboldt joined the study in spring of 2013. As an inaugural member of the study, Humboldt received the very first report which was the 2012 Presidential Election. Humboldt has since received three more reports. The NSLVE database now contains over 1,000 campuses and 10 million student records from all 50 states and all institutional types. For more information about the study, see: https://idhe.tufts.edu/nslve

2022 Campus Report (Published 10/2024)

2014, 2018, 2020 Campus Report (Re-Published 09/2022)

2020 Campus Report (Published 11/2021)

2014 & 2018 Campus Report (Published 9/2019)

2012 & 2016 Humboldt Campus Report (Published 9/2017)

2016 Infographic (link under construction)

November 2014 Midterm Election (Published 11/2015)

November 2012 Presidential Election (Published 3/2015)