The Gephardt Institute launched Engage Democracy, a university-wide initiative that aims to educate the campus community about the processes and civic skills needed to participate in a thriving democracy.
Engage Democracy includes three core components: voter engagement, Common Ground Grant funds, and a series of Engage Democracy workshops. Explore opportunities for involvement below, and connect with us to further engage the campus community and increase political participation throughout the year.
Voter Engagement
Voting is a vital form of civic engagement that helps make our communities stronger. Learn about WashU Votes, our student-led volunteer initiative, voter registration, election dates, ballot issues, and other ways to engage with public issues.
Common Ground Grants
Common Ground Grants are designed to catalyze the campus community in developing strategies to repair, address, and prevent polarization at the university and in the St. Louis community. Opportunities range from $500-$1,500.
Workshop Series
We offer workshops to equip students and campus partners with knowledge and skills to engage in the process of democracy, including “civics 101,” media literacy, and citizen tools for communicating with elected officials.
2020 Census
The 2020 Census counts the total population of the United States, gathering crucial data that informs government funding, congressional representation, and cutting-edge research. Learn how to be counted.
The Engage Democracy Initiative is generously funded by Bruce Levenson, AB ’71, and Karen Levenson.