New Jersey Institute of Technology has earned the 2026 Highly Established Action Plan Seal from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, recognizing the university's efforts to strengthen nonpartisan civic engagement, voter education and student participation in elections.
NJIT is among 272 colleges and universities nationwide to receive the designation for the 2026 election cycle. Its democratic engagement action plan earned 28 of 32 possible points under ALL IN's Strengthening American Democracy Action Planning Rubric.
Developed by Civic Engagement staff within NJIT's Career Development Services, with contributions from departments and student organizations across campus, the plan outlines initiatives to make voter registration and civic participation more accessible to students.
Among the university's efforts is a statewide, nonpartisan voter outreach initiative hosted by NJIT's Office of Community and Public Affairs in partnership with the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Essex County and the NAACP New Jersey State Conference. The 2025 phone bank effort reached more than 207,000 registered voters across New Jersey.
On campus, NJIT has expanded voter registration drives, peer-to-peer outreach and educational programming in collaboration with the League of Women Voters. Student ambassadors have helped distribute election information, while activities surrounding Constitution Day, student involvement events and the university's NJIT VOTES initiative have connected students with voting resources and deadlines.
The action plan also establishes longer-term goals, including registering 100% of eligible NJIT students to vote by 2028, integrating voter registration opportunities into major campus events and expanding civic learning experiences.
NJIT's recognition also positions the university to earn ALL IN's 2026 Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting designation. Interim President John A. Pelesko signed ALL IN's Presidents' Commitment to Full Student Voter Participation, affirming the university's institutional support for nonpartisan student civic engagement. With the action plan recognition and presidential commitment in place, NJIT has met the stated requirements for the additional designation, which will be formally announced in November.
The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge is a national initiative that supports colleges and universities in developing nonpartisan strategies to increase student voting and democratic engagement.
