Michigan State University and the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) recently announced Hannah Richardson as a recipient of the 2023 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll.

The ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll recognizes college students doing outstanding work to advance nonpartisan democratic engagement at participating campuses. Richardson joins only 175 students from across the U.S. being acknowledged for their efforts in voter registration and  education ahead of last year’s historic midterm elections. The 2022 midterm elections saw one of the highest youth turnout rates for a midterm election in the past 40 years — an estimated 23 percent of young people ages 18 to 29 turned out to vote.

“The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge is honored to celebrate hundreds of student leaders encouraging nonpartisan democratic engagement across the country,” said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, Executive Director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “These students organized voter registration drives, coordinated campus-wide voter engagement resources and brought polling locations to their campuses. We are excited to watch these students continue to change the world.”

A senior double-majoring in chemistry and political science, Richardson first connected with democratic engagement on MSU’s campus through the Center for Community Engaged Learning’s (CCEL) Volunteer Innovation Leader program, where she partnered with the League of Women Voters in Lansing. Richardson continued to participate in voter engagement efforts through 2021 and 2022 through her work with the League and MSUvote.

Richardson has continued her partnership with the League through the Community Engagement Scholar Program (CESP). Through CESP, Richardson has acted as a liaison between the League of Women Voters- Lansing and the inaugural campus chapter of the League of Women Voters founded in 2022.  

Richardson spearheaded the Spartan League of Women Voters, a registered student organization at MSU and chapter of the League of Women Voters. With the Spartan League, Richardson planned events revolving around civility education and understanding the passing of Proposition 3 in Michigan. Additionally, she served on the Michigan Secretary of State’s College Student Advisory Task Force (CSATF), providing crucial input into youth voter access at a state level.

“Hannah made lasting contributions to student democratic engagement in her time as an MSU student. Her enthusiasm for and commitment to improving student voter engagement greatly impacted student turnout at MSU and across the state,” said Renee Brown, Director for the Center for Community Engaged Learning and Co-Director for MSUvote. “It’s only fitting that she represents our campus on the ALL IN Student Honor Roll!” 

Tirelessly supporting the non-partisan efforts of MSUvote, Richardson assisted with line management at the Brody precinct on election day and other voter registration promotion events. Her work was important to the planning and execution of the 2022 Michigan Student Voting Summit, an event headlined by Michigan’s Secretary of State Joceyln Benson. Following graduation, she plans to attend law school.