New Initiative Launches National Competition for Community College Concert to Boost Voter Turnout

The Community College Commitment, a new nonpartisan voting initiative, is launching a national competition for a live, on-campus community college concert ahead of the November elections. This initiative aims to increase voter turnout at two-year colleges, where voting rates have historically been lower compared to four-year institutions.

According to data collected by Tufts University, voting rates for students at two-year public colleges were 10 percentage points lower in 2020. In an effort to address this disparity, the Community College Commitment coalition, which includes private companies like Levi Strauss, Lyft, and Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios, is partnering with nonprofits to promote voter registration and early voting on community college campuses.

The coalition will host special events and giveaways timed to National Voter Registration Day, National Voter Education Week, and Vote Early Day. The highlight of the initiative is the concert competition series, culminating in a live concert on Vote Early Day, Oct. 29, featuring a surprise artist to be announced later.

To enter the competition, colleges must organize voter education drives or events by the Sept. 20 deadline. This initiative follows a targeted push at voter turnout for two-year schools in the previous election cycle, with initiatives like Levi’s and Pizza for the Polls registering students at 34 campuses across the country.

Overall, the Community College Commitment is aiming to close the voting gap at community colleges and make it easier for young voters to participate in every election. With the support of various organizations and companies, this initiative has the potential to significantly impact voter turnout among community college students.