McCourt School of Public Policy

GU Votes

GU Votes is a student-led initiative working to enhance the voting culture at Georgetown by simplifying the voting process, increasing turnout rates among students, and directly integrating voter registration into the university ecosystem. Thanks to these efforts, Georgetown University now makes voter registration available on “GU Experience” and also promotes voter registration through annual Storm the Dorms programming. With the help of GU Votes, student turnout rate increased from 61% in 2016 to 79.4% in 2020. Overall voter registration rate also increased from 87.4% in 2016 to 93.1% in 2020.

Student-Led Voter Advocacy

A profile image of Andrew Straky, C ’20

“What initiative are you proudest of from your time with GU Votes?

From my very first day on the Hilltop, my time at Georgetown was in large part defined by my involvement with GU Politics. I had the privilege of leading GU Votes, Georgetown’s voter advocacy initiative, with the GU Politics team providing critical administrative support in our efforts to integrate a voting tool into Georgetown’s main student portal.

– Andrew Straky, C ’20”

An image of Emily Fisher, C ’23

“How has GU Votes shaped your Georgetown experience?

Since I arrived to the Hilltop, GU Politics has been instrumental in my experience. GU Votes embodies the principles of the institute and the university by advocating for students to have an access to sharing their voice. GU Votes helps Hoyas have a chance in participating in politics and public service to have a positive impact.

– Emily Fisher, C ’23”

An image of Sarah Bryant, SFS ‘22, speaking at a podium

“Why should students get involved in GU Votes?

As a leader of GU Votes, I’ve had the opportunity to invest in my campus community by improving the voting culture and helping students make their voices heard. From coordinating a university-wide email campaign to building the Georgetown Voting Coalition, our team has benefitted from the resources and partnerships that GU Politics provides to bolster student voter engagement.

– Sarah Bryant, SFS ‘22”

GU Votes event with students and computers to register to vote

Join the Team

Interested in getting involved with GU Votes? We welcome students, student organizations, faculty, and staff to join our voting coalition by filling out the form linked below. We are also always looking for general volunteers for our activities. If you have a specific question or voting-related issue, please email voting@georgetown.edu and a team member will get back to you as soon as possible.

Fill Out Our Interest Form

GU Votes is hiring a Web Design Project Deputy!

Web Design Deputies manage and expand GU Votes’ online presence. They will assist in developing and maintaining our official website and ensure it stays current and engaging. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in web design, content management, or building a portfolio piece.

Apply now!
GU Votes students working at a table.

Student Voting FAQ

What is GU Votes? What is the Georgetown Voting Coalition? How do Georgetown students vote? What does voter engagement look like on campus? How do I register to vote and request an absentee ballot? These questions and many more are answered in our FAQ.

Check Out the FAQ
Students tabling for GU Votes.

Meet the GU Votes Student Team

GU Votes is run by great student leaders! Learn more about who they are and their roles within GU Votes.

Meet our Team
Students tabling for Storm the Dorms.

Storm the Dorms

Each September, GU Votes celebrates National Voter Registration Day through their Storm the Dorms initiative, targeted at getting freshman and new students registered to vote. The event is successful in reaching dozens of students as they first join the Hilltop.

Learn More about Storm the Dorms