One vote, one voice: How Warriors Vote helps students drive change

Wayne State University's Warriors Vote initiative inspires students to take civic engagement into their own hands, turning awareness into action and ensuring every voice counts at the ballot box on Election Day, Nov. 4.

Led by the Dean of Students Office, Warriors Vote partners with the Campus Vote Project, the Michigan Department of State and other nonpartisan organizations to increase voter registration and participation across campus. The program reflects Wayne State's long-standing commitment to preparing students to be informed citizens and engaged leaders both inside and outside the classroom.

Wayne State is nationally recognized by nonpartisan advocacy groups - including the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge and Voter Friendly Campus - for its strong voting culture and students' civic engagement. Wayne State's student voting rate in the 2022 midterm elections was 56%, almost double the national average. In 2020, a presidential election year with record-breaking national turnout, Wayne State boasted 73.5% voter participation.

"Civic engagement is a cornerstone of the Wayne State experience," said David Strauss, dean of students. "Through programs like Warriors Vote, our students learn that leadership is about showing up for your community, making informed decisions and helping others do the same."

Throughout the year, Warriors Vote hosts registration drives, civic engagement workshops and information events that connect students to local and national election resources. From setting up registration tables during Warrior Wednesdays to partnering with the Secretary of State's Mobile Office, the initiative makes participation in democracy easy, accessible and meaningful. The group also routinely staffs the on-campus polling location at the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights at Wayne State's Law School on Election Day.

Brandon Shamoun, assistant dean of student involvement, activities and organizations, said the program's success stems from students leading by example.

"Warriors Vote demonstrates the impact that peer-to-peer engagement can have," he said. When students talk to their classmates about registering to vote or learning about issues that affect them, it creates a culture of civic awareness and accountability that spreads across campus. They're inspiring each other to take ownership of their future."

One of those student leaders is Abdullah Aljanabi, a political science major and democracy fellow with Warriors Vote. Aljanabi has helped organize voter education events across campus and was recognized for his leadership with the Secretary of State's inaugural Michigan Student Impact Award for Outstanding Commitment to Civic Engagement and Leadership. He was presented the award by the Michigan Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie at the Campus Vote Project's Student Voting Summit.

"For me, this award represents the incredible support I've had from my family, mentors and the Wayne State community," Aljanabi said. "It also reflects our university's deep commitment to democracy - from having an on-campus polling location to offering year-round voter engagement opportunities."

For many students, Warriors Vote is more than a program - it's a movement that empowers them to see civic participation as a lifelong responsibility.

"Many students tell me how proud they felt after voting - that it was easier than expected and that they truly felt heard," Aljanabi said. "Those conversations remind me why this work matters."

Learn more about Warriors Vote.