Tufts University Halts Key Student Voting Study Amid Federal Probe and Partner Withdrawal

Tufts University has halted the release of statistics from the National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement (NSLVE) following a federal investigation initiated by the Trump administration's Education Department. Concurrently, the National Student Clearinghouse, a long-standing partner in the study, has withdrawn its involvement. The probe centers on alleged violations of a federal student data privacy law, claims that both Tufts University and the National Student Clearinghouse deny. The cessation of data releases impacts over 1,000 participating colleges and universities, hindering their efforts to promote student voter engagement.

Overview of NSLVE

Established in 2013, the National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement (NSLVE) is a nonpartisan research initiative designed to examine student voter registration and turnout rates. The study's focus is on understanding voting patterns among students rather than specific candidate preferences. It provided school-level data that colleges utilized to refine strategies aimed at increasing civic participation.

Education Department's Investigation Unfolds

In February, the Education Department announced its investigation, citing unspecified "reports" alleging that NSLVE violated the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

The department's probe centers on claims that student data was illegally shared "with the intent to influence elections."

Tufts University and the National Student Clearinghouse have both affirmed their compliance with privacy regulations. Many privacy experts have expressed skepticism regarding the validity of the accusations.

Origins of the Federal Probe

Republican election lawyer Cleta Mitchell stated that the investigation stemmed from a document authored by activist Heather Honey in 2023. This report reportedly claimed that colleges could violate FERPA by providing student enrollment records to the National Student Clearinghouse for the study. Honey was later appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary for Elections Integrity at the Department of Homeland Security. Mitchell described the National Student Clearinghouse's withdrawal as an outcome of such activist efforts.

The Department of Homeland Security stated that Honey had no involvement with the Education Department's investigation, and her 2023 report on NSLVE is publicly available. The America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank, also publicly supported the cessation of the National Student Clearinghouse's involvement with NSLVE, citing concerns about student data exploitation. Brendan Fischer of the Campaign Legal Center has noted a connection between activist efforts and government policy, particularly concerning strategies to increase voting among demographics often perceived to support the Democratic Party.

Impact on Colleges and Department Guidance

The suspension of NSLVE data leaves over 1,000 participating colleges and universities without current information, complicating their efforts to assess and improve student voter turnout in an upcoming election year.

The Education Department issued guidance to institutions, advising them to refrain from using NSLVE reports or data until the investigation concludes. The guidance also included warnings of potential enforcement actions, such as the withdrawal of federal funding.

Former Biden administration official Amanda Fuchs Miller characterized the department's communication as a "scare tactic," expressing concerns that it could disproportionately affect smaller or under-resourced institutions.

Melissa Michelson of Menlo College noted that schools might prioritize financial responsibility over continued participation in NSLVE if federal funding is at risk.

Previous Student Voting Guidance Issues

This incident follows previous guidance from the Trump administration concerning student voter registration. In August, the Education Department suggested that schools could limit the distribution of mail voter registration forms, citing concerns about "aiding and abetting voter fraud." This guidance conflicted with federal law, which mandates that institutions participating in federal student aid programs make a good faith effort to distribute forms widely to all enrolled students. The department also restricted the use of federal work-study funding for voter registration or poll assistance, a restriction not found in its Federal Student Aid Handbook. A group of Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Cory Booker, has requested the Education Department to reconsider its August guidance, arguing it undermines efforts to encourage voter registration among college students.