Integrating a Voter Registration Application Programming Interface (API) into Student Information Systems
Case Study: Integrating a Voter Registration Application Programming Interface (API) into Student Information Systems
In 2024, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) made registering to vote more efficient for students by integrating a voter registration application programming interface (API) directly into its student single-sign-on platform, which students use to manage their records.
CMU’s success demonstrates that integrating voter registration directly into existing student systems is possible, secure, and practical. It also underscores the importance of robust partnerships between schools, election officials, and civic organizations in advancing civic goals. This model can transform voter registration from a paper-intensive, error-prone process into a more user-friendly digital experience, serving students, institutions, and election officials.
This page includes an overview and preview of key steps, while the full case study can be accessed here for all the details.
For campuses in Pennsylvania: Use the overview below and read the full case study to learn more. Then, reach out to relevant partners, including the PA Department of State, and implement this strategy to reach students on a system they’re already using.
The Pennsylvania Department of State offers a secure voter registration application programming interface (API) that enables third parties to transmit voter registration data directly to the state’s official system. This interface allows your campus website to connect directly to Pennsylvania’s Online Voter Registration System and submits completed voter registration forms directly to the appropriate county’s voter registration offices for review and processing. Any other online voter registration website or service is a third-party intermediary. Read more about how this service from the Department of State works, what an API is, and other common concerns through the PA OVR Web API Frequently Asked Questions page.
This technology enabled CMU to embed voter registration into its existing systems, including high-traffic university webpages and the single-sign-on platform students use to manage their records, thereby meeting students where they are.
For campuses in other states:
Michigan: Michigan also has an API for voter registration, so a similar approach may be possible. Read the overview below and the case study, then connect with your state and local elections offices to learn more about the possibilities for replicating this strategy.
All other states: Use our Nonpartisan Digital Prompts Playbook resource for instructions on integrating voter registration prompts into student information systems that will work regardless of state infrastructure.
Implementation Overview
Advice from Carnegie Mellon University and the Institute for Responsive Government (IRG), a nonpartisan partner focused on making government more efficient, accessible, and responsive. IRG provided key support and expertise to Carnegie Mellon University. This implementation overview is in addition to the full case study, which can be accessed here, to support campuses in Pennsylvania interested in replicating this strategy.
What do campuses need to set up to be able to start this process?
The primary prerequisite was a robust voter registration infrastructure in Pennsylvania. Campuses located in other states can pursue integrating digital voter registration prompts into their student information systems instead.
Because this process involves student data and IT systems, broad campus-wide buy-in was essential, including campus leadership, technical staff, faculty, community partners, and CMU’s Voter Engagement Committee, which spearheads a multi-year strategy to empower students and increase civic participation.
CMU’s Voter Engagement Committee provided a clear roadmap allowing partners and campus officials to take ownership of shared goals. Campuses looking to replicate this strategy should consider forming a nonpartisan coalition or committee to align on civic participation goals. Other areas to explore in advance include whether campus systems can help prefill student data to save students’ time and improve data quality, as well as training and partnerships to strengthen and grow civic programs.
Process & Timeline:
The transition from a paper-based voter registration drive at CMU to a digital API integration was a gradual process. The foundation was laid by CMU’s Voter Engagement Committee as early as 2019, but the actual proposal for the API, including support from partners like the SLSV Coalition and IRG, didn’t occur until late 2023. The technical design and implementation occurred throughout 2024, with the official launch in Fall 2024 to coincide with student orientation week.
Partners Involved:
The Pennsylvania Department of State
Any campus that is looking to build its own interface with the PA Department of State must contact them. Their resource account is ra-voterreg@pa.gov. Campuses will need to register for an account to begin the process and subsequently test the technology with the PA Department of State.
Alternatively, it is possible to connect with an organization that already has an interface with the PA Department of State to see if there are opportunities to leverage the organization’s existing infrastructure.
There were two primary champions for this effort at CMU who helped coordinate and collaborate with key partners and the development of the technology:
CMU’s Associate Dean of Student Affairs & Director of the Office of Community Engagement and Leadership Development
They supported the strategic direction of the Office of Community Engagement and the development partnerships with community organizations. Their office was the primary program sponsor for the API integration and administers on-campus voter registration programs.
CMU’s Director of IT, Student Affairs
The IT team helped ensure student systems and programs are supported with effective IT systems and functionality. Their office was the primary technical sponsor and led the development of the API integration on campus, in close coordination with the program team.
Institutions looking to implement this strategy may also want to involve departments of Academic Affairs, Legal, and Student Life, depending on the concerns and priorities of their campus.
Overcoming Potential Challenges:
To help overcome challenges CMU officials faced during implementation, CMU officials offered the following lessons:
Clear Communication: early miscommunication about state-mandated fields, such as the requirements for displaying certain fields vs. what must be filled out, led to reprogramming and some rework.
Validation Delays: the state’s process for developing and validating test cases was more comprehensive than expected, delaying the deployment timeline. Incorporating more time in future projects will ensure launch goals are not delayed.
Diagnostics: Initially, CMU’s reporting tool did not provide in-depth explanations for error codes returned by the state, making it more difficult for front-line staff to troubleshoot failed submissions effectively.
A key piece of advice is to build a diverse coalition and to consult partners early and often. Different perspectives and experiences can help institutions streamline their project to maximize effectiveness and limit potential rework. Together, we can help each other succeed and achieve our goals.