DSO Special Project & Initiatives: Crimson Votes
#CrimsonVotes
Harvard College is committed to fostering a robust culture of voting and civic engagement among new and young voters at a time when trust in our democracy seems to be at an all-time low. Though Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics 2026 Youth Poll highlights young Americans increasing loss of faith in the political system, and trust in government, elections, and national leadership strikingly low, we believe the anecdote is for students to reclaim their power at the ballot box. The Dean of Students Office—in partnership with the Harvard Votes Challenge—seeks to combat the issues of uneven turnout, low enthusiasm, and widespread skepticism about the fairness of elections. Our goal is to reach 100% eligible voter registration, engagement, and turnout across the College, treating civic engagement as a core tenet of being a better citizen and citizen-leader in our democracy. Through education, outreach, and peer-to-peer organizing, we seek to help students understand the importance of using their voice at the ballot box and ask every student to join our efforts and do their part to increase voter registration and engagement among their peers.
Institute of Politics 2026 Harvard Youth Poll
Young Americans have little confidence in the direction of the country
13%
of young Americans say the country is on the right track
59%
say it is on the wrong track
26%
remain unsure
A pervasive sense of threat is defining everyday life for young Americans, and they are increasingly losing faith in fundamental systems of democracy and political participation. Young people have consistently felt unheard; now they feel unheard and actively in crisis.
#VotingIsEasy
Students lend their voice to encourage youth voter engagement.
Get Involved
All civic engagement initiatives through the Dean of Students Office are done in partnership with the Institute of Politics and the Philips Brooks House. Join the movement and pledge to vote by filling out the Harvard Votes Challenge 2026 pledge to vote form. You can also visit the Harvard Votes Challenge website to learn more about registering to vote, checking your registration status, requesting a mail ballot, checking voter I.D. requirements, and finding your election day polling location.
Interested in replicating this campaign?
Your votes matter just as much as #CrimsonVotes
If you are interested in creating your own #VotingIsEasy campaign, you can review our pdf guide linked below or reach out to dso@fas.harvard.edu for support and collaboration opportunities.