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DES MOINES -- Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is urging all Iowa high schools to register eligible students to vote by participating in the prestigious Carrie Chapman Catt Award program, now that the sign-up window has opened as of Aug. 26.
Named after the legendary Iowan who was a national leader in the women’s suffrage movement, the Carrie Chapman Catt program recognizes high schools that support its students in taking the first step toward participation in the election process - registering to vote.
In Iowa, 17-year-olds are eligible to register to vote and participate in Primary Elections if they will be 18 by the time of the General Election.
Iowa code requires Iowa high schools to conduct two voter registration drives every school year. Pate aims to support high schools in meeting these requirements through the Carrie Chapman Catt Award program, which provides high schools with all the resources necessary to conduct a successful voter registration drive. Iowa high schools that register 50%, 70% and 90% of eligible students receive recognition. Schools that register more than 90% receive the prestigious Carrie Chapman Catt Award and trophy, along with a special award presentation from Pate.
Schools interested in participating in the Carrie Chapman Catt Award and receiving information and resources on conducting a voter registration drive should visit sos.iowa.gov/youth/carriechapmancattaward.html. Upon registration, schools will receive a detailed action kit outlining the steps to conduct a voter registration drive, along with other critical resources to support the drive, including promotional materials, pens, voter registration forms and more.
Schools must sign up and submit school participation numbers to the Iowa Secretary of State’s office by March 27, 2027. More details about the Carrie Chapman Catt Award and a list of last year’s winners are also available at sos.iowa.gov.