More than Just Online Degrees - DeVry Registers Voters this Week

Posted by admin on September 17th, 2008

From September 15th to the 19th, DeVry University will be doing more than helping students earn their online accredited degrees — the school will be striving to register 8,000 new voters for this fall’s upcoming election.

In a way, DeVry’s efforts will be making visible a correlation that has always existed between education and voter participation.  As U.S. Census Bureau data illustrates, eligible voters with a bachelor’s degree or graduate degree are more likely to register than those without a college degree.  In 2004, 78% of those with a bachelor’s degree had registered to vote, while only 62% of eligible voters with a high school diploma had registered to vote.

The disparity between voting engagement and education becomes even more pronounced when one looks at actual voting numbers.  74% of the voting age population with at least a bachelor’s degree voted in 2004, while only 52% of the voting age population with a high school diploma voted that year.

The 2008 presidential election is being touted as one of the most engaging races in recent memory.  Even if you are not earning an online degree from DeVry University, you can still visit one of the 72 participating registration locations this week and register to vote.

You can find info on the candidates and their policies via their respective party websites:

• Democratic Party: Barack Obama
• Republican Party: John McCain

• Constitution Party: Chuck Baldwin
• Green Party: Cynthia McKinney
• Independent: Ralph Nader
• Libertarian Party: Bob Barr