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William Paterson University has again been awarded first place among New Jersey campuses of a similar size for student-voter registration and commitment rates in the November 2025 general election. The achievement was announced by NJ Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way during the 8th annual Ballot Bowl awards ceremony, held November 17 at the Statehouse in Trenton.
The Ballot Bowl is a statewide, nonpartisan voter registration and engagement competition established by the Lieutenant Governor to increase civic participation among NJ college students. Each fall, campuses across the state compete to register the most voters and secure the highest number of commitments to vote, with results measured relative to campus size.
William Paterson’s top ranking in its division – for the second year in a row – reflects the University’s ongoing dedication to civic learning and engagement.
This year’s Ballot Bowl efforts at WP were led by Donna Minnich Spuhler, Director of Campus Activities, Service, and Leadership; Gary Marks ’10, MA ’13, Reference and Outreach Librarian; and Barbee Edwards ’25. Edwards, who earned her bachelor’s degree in May and is now pursuing a master’s in public policy at William Paterson, works on campus as a civic engagement coordinator through AmeriCorps.
“We are incredibly proud of our students for earning the top spot in this year’s Ballot Bowl,” says Minnich Spuhler. “This recognition reflects William Paterson’s strong commitment to empowering students to become active, informed participants in our democracy.”
This work is part of William Paterson’s American Democracy Project (ADP), directed this year by Ryan Rebe, chairperson and professor of political science, legal, and urban studies.
Lt. Governor Way, who delivered the keynote address and presented awards during the ceremony, highlighted the impact of the Ballot Bowl initiative in strengthening youth participation in New Jersey’s elections and applauded campuses for their efforts to build lifelong civic habits.
