Learn More About APSA's RAISE the Vote Mission
Re-Imaging the 2020 RAISE the Vote Campaign
Campus Engagement + Resources
Participate in the 2024 RAISE the Vote campaign
American democracy and its experiment in self-government is at a crossroads. If there was once an era where experts and citizens felt confidence its rules and boundaries where permanent and automatic, the twenty-first century has witness declining public support for democratic institutions, increased partisan conflict, and violence surrounding the transfer of Executive power following the 2020 presidential elections. A recent national survey held prior to 2022 midterm investigating both expert and popular opinions found a majority of Americans worry democratic stability is threatened, expect democratic performance to decline, and worry their vote will not be properly counted by electoral administrators. Yet at the same time a 2022 midterm exit poll revealed increased democratic engagement and voting from young Americans and college students. Opportunities for democratic renewal rest in revitalizing our capacity for informed and authentic citizenship.
RAISE the Vote is APSA's nonpartisan initiative to provide political science educators with the tools needed to effectively encourage student registration, voting, and sustained democratic engagement. RAISE the Vote's digital civic engagement guide provides both experienced political science educators and higher education faculty and administrators with the tools to increase college student registration, voting, and civic engagement through two key mechanisms:
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- Provide concrete steps and best practices that faculty can use in the classroom and on-campus to encourage student engagement;
- Highlight the research, teaching, and service of political scientists related to civic engagement and voting, and encourage faculty to use these resources in their classrooms.
RAISE the Vote in the 2024 elections
Re-Imaging the 2020 RAISE the Vote Campaign
curation from Bill Waychunas
APSA's RAISE the Vote Campaign was originally a special initiative organized to coincide with the 2020 U.S. election. You can access the original campaign's digital archive here. APSA invited early career civic education scholar Bill Waychunas to review and refresh the original campaign.
Navigating the Challenges of Political Discussion in the Classroom
Browse this guide for some ideas and tips to help lead inclusive and engaged classroom discussion.
Civic Games in the Political Science Classroom
Check out these materials to help students simulate the struggles, institutions, and processes that that inform America's governing system.
Experiential Learning in Political Science Courses
Content knowledge is important. But knowledge-in-action is powerful. Explore tools spotlighting how to help get your students to apply their coursework and knowledge outside the classroom.
Getting Students Engaged with State and Local Politics
As the old phrase goes, "all politics is local." Find tools and resources to either incorporate local and state political issues into national, comparative and institutional courses, or reinvigorate your existing state and local course.
Taking Essays to the Next Level in Political Science Classrooms
Writing is a process necessitating reflection, comprehension, and pain. Browse ideas to make your writing assignments politically purposeful, connecting students to civil society and government.
APSA's Teaching Civic Engagement Books
