Harvard Votes ChallengeHVC
Non-partisan initiative working to raise voter registration and turnout among Harvard students, staff, and faculty through organizing, advocacy, and outreach.
- Joining
- ApplicationFirst-years eligible
- When
- Usually recruits in fall and spring
About
The Harvard Votes Challenge is a non-partisan initiative that strives to build a civic culture at Harvard University by increasing voter registration and participation among students, staff, and faculty. Our seven teams (Advocacy, Collaborations, Communications, Data & Tech, Democracy Days, Organizing, and Strategy & Operations) work together to help Harvard VOTE (Voter Outreach, Turnout, and Engagement). Our many projects include on-the-ground organizing work, creative advocacy projects, developing effective messaging for our social media accounts, leveraging data for civic engagement, and much more.
How to join
- Application — A written application, often followed by interviews.
What they do
- On-the-ground organizing work
- Creative advocacy projects
- Developing messaging for social media accounts
- Leveraging data for civic engagement
- Weekly team meetings, work sessions, speaker events, and direct service opportunities
- Get out the vote on campus
Mission, in their words
To take the 'challenge' out of voting at Harvard and beyond by encouraging civic action in a non-partisan manner and building a stronger democracy where everyone's voices can be heard.
In the news
- Harvard Votes Challenge Targets Freshmen With Move-In Registration ProgramThe Harvard CrimsonSep 13, 2019
- Mail-in Ballots: National Change and Political ControversiesThe Harvard IndependentDec 4, 2025
- Why Gen Z Isn’t Voting this ElectionHarvard Political ReviewOct 23, 2024
- Harvard Votes Challenge’s ‘Rock the Vote Concert’ Integrates Civic Engagement with Performing ArtsThe Harvard CrimsonOct 19, 2023
- Removing Structural Barriers to Let the Youth VoteHarvard Political ReviewApr 1, 2020
Show all 6 articlesShow fewer
- Why The Hell Don't Harvard Students Vote?The Harvard CrimsonOct 11, 2018
More links
- IOP program pageHarvard directory
Sources
- Harvard Votes Challenge (HVC) | The Institute of Politics at Harvard UniversityHarvard page · seen Oct 29, 2026
- Programs | The Institute of Politics at Harvard UniversityHarvard page · seen Oct 12, 2026
- Harvard Votes Challenge Targets Freshmen With Move-In Registration Program | The Harvard CrimsonThe Harvard Crimson · seen Sep 30, 2026
- Harvard Votes Challenge’s ‘Rock the Vote Concert’ Integrates Civic Engagement with Performing Arts | The Harvard CrimsonThe Harvard Crimson · seen Sep 30, 2026
- Why The Hell Don't Harvard Students Vote? | The Harvard CrimsonThe Harvard Crimson · seen Sep 30, 2026
- Mail-in Ballots: National Change and Political Controversies | Harvard IndependentHarvard-related site · seen Sep 30, 2026
- Removing Structural Barriers to Let the Youth Vote - Harvard Political ReviewHarvard-related site · seen Sep 30, 2026
- Why Gen Z Isn’t Voting this Election - Harvard Political ReviewHarvard-related site · seen Sep 30, 2026
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