Simply passing out forms, however, won't ensure student engagement in the political process. The Harvard study found that most students still want easier ways to register. Many of them also need more information about the voting process, the candidates, and the issues to be motivated to vote. Institutions should follow the lead of those that have increased their voter-registration activities. Some colleges saturate their students with mass mailings or e-mail messages that direct them to Web sites where they can register and request absentee ballots electronically.
Many colleges hold campuswide voter-registration parties.
Yet, because voter registration doesn't always translate into voter participation, even those activities are just a first step. Many institutions have successfully adopted a comprehensive, nonpartisan, League of Women Voters-style model to help demystify candidates and issues, and make local, state, and national politics more relevant to students. For example, some institutions are holding candidates debates or sponsoring political fairs that bring candidates, political parties, and issue groups to the campus to distribute information and interact with students. The final challenge will be getting students to the polls on Election Day, or making sure that they submit their absentee ballots. The national associations will continue to provide support for such campus-based efforts.