SoCon Votes

SoCon Votes is the first Division 1 Athletic Conference Championship for democratic engagement. This program supports the 80,000 students in the Southern Conference to become active and engaged citizens. Each of the 10 schools in the Southern Conference is vying for the conference championship for Highest Voter Turnout or Most Improved Voter Turnout. Youth voting has been on a decline for many years. Only 45% of young people between the ages of 18 and 29 voted in 2012, down from 51% in 2008.¹ Young adult voters between the ages of 18 and 24 have consistently voted at lower rates than all other age groups in every presidential election since 1962.² This election year, there are roughly 31 million traditional-aged college students in the United States. According to voting statistics, 83% of college students keep silent on the very subjects that shape their present and future.³ SoCon Votes aspires to expand voter participation among college students by fostering excitement and competition nationwide. Our desire is for every collegiate conference to engage in friendly competition as they increase voter knowledge and incite students’ passion for shaping their future. ¹ Source ² Source ³Source