BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan University Athletic Department has launched a department-wide voting initiative IWU Athletic Director Mike Wagner announced Wednesday, Aug. 5. The goal is to get every eligible student-athlete registered to vote in the upcoming election, while also providing them with educational opportunities regarding the positions of government.

"I am thrilled to announce this initiative today that will educate, empower and encourage our student-athletes to exercise their constitutional right to vote," Wagner said. "I would like to thank our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Committee that spearheaded this effort."

Events in our country over the past several months have motivated many people, including a large number of student-athletes, to use their voices. With more than 500 student-athletes on campus at IWU and roughly 460,000 NCAA student-athletes throughout the country, each and every one of their voices matter. 

In June, the NCAA encouraged all member schools to assist students in registering to vote in the upcoming national election and designate Election Day (Nov. 3) as a day off from athletics responsibilities so student-athletes can "vote and participate in their ultimate responsibility as citizens." 

With this initiative, each of IWU's 24 athletic programs will strive for 100 percent voter registration. Additionally, the athletic department will partner with a political science professor to educate the student-athletes on the positions of government. Election day itself will be a day off from mandatory athletic responsibilities to make it easier for students to vote in-person should they choose to do so.

Tuesday, Oct. 6, is the last day Illinois voters can register by mail for the upcoming election. Online registration closes Sunday, Oct. 18. To view the specifics for other states click here.

To register to vote, visit vote.org.

To complete the 2020 census, visit 2020census.gov.