Governor's Civic Engagement Award
“Voting is the foundation for political action.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Governor's Civic Engagement Award recognition programs will be held April 29th – May 7th. Student leaders and staff advisors for the schools that earn the award are invited to attend. For details, or to submit your application, contact ra-voterreg@pa.gov.
Northeast and Central PA: Monday April 29th at the Pennsylvania State Museum in Harrisburg
Philadelphia area: Thursday May 2nd at the Montgomery County Community College Science Center Theater
Western PA: Tuesday May 7th at the University of Pittsburgh William Pitt Union Ballroom
Individual award winners will be recognized at the corresponding regional event.
Governor's Civic Engagement Award - School Application
Governor's Civic Engagement Award - Individual Nomination
About the Award
The Governor's Civic Engagement Award is presented by the Pennsylvania Departments of State and Education, in collaboration with Inspire U.S.. The award recognizes and commemorates the efforts of Pennsylvania high school students to educate, engage and inform their fellow students about how to get involved in the voting process.
How to Qualify
Schools are recognized for registering eligible students to vote. To be eligible, students must be 18 years of age, or 17 years of age and will be 18 on or before the next election. Applications are due on April 22, 2019, and the calculations to determine that 65% or 85% of the school's eligible students are registered is based on the number of students who are eligible to vote in the May 2019 primary election.
Individual students are recognized for their efforts to register their peers to vote, and their service as poll workers. Students must be at least 17 years of age and obtain permission from their principal and parent/guardian to serve as a poll worker. Individual students must be recommended for the award by a representative from their school or the county election office. Award applications can be mailed to the Department of State, c/o Governor's Civic Engagement Award, 210 North Office Bldg., Harrisburg, PA, 17120 or emailed to ra-voterreg@pa.gov.
Printer-friendly Pennsylvania voter education materials can be found in the resource center. High schools can also sign up directly with Inspire US at: inspire-usa.org/high_school_signup. Inspire can help high schools coordinate peer-to-peer voter registration drives and Get Out the Vote events. They also provide materials and data management, and organize school celebrations and recognition events.
Award Distinctions
Gold Level: 85% of eligible students are registered to vote.
Student ambassadors and the school will receive a plaque and certificates from the Secretary of State at a regional recognition program.
Silver Level: 65% of eligible students registered to vote.
Student ambassadors and the school will receive certificates from the Secretary of State at a regional recognition program.
Individual Award: Voter Registration Leads and Poll Workers
Individual award recipients will receive special recognition at the regional recognition program.
Governor's Civic Engagement Award - School Application
Governor's Civic Engagement Award - Individual Nomination