Accomplishments
In 2004, Iowa PIRG's New Voters Project worked to mobilize young voters across the state: - Working in coalition with student governments and other student organizations, we registered over 37,000 new voters in Iowa.
- The project received the endorsement of numerous officials, including Governor Tom Vilsack, University of Iowa President David Skorton, and Iowa State University President Gregory Geoffrey.
- We successfully petitioned the Iowa Secretary of State's office to bring polling stations to college and university campuses across the state. At Iowa State University, we also arranged for three "early voting days" on campus.
- Following the election, it was found that voter turnout among 18-24-year olds rose an average of 76% in four counties where the we focused our efforts.
In 2007, Iowa PIRG worked with a national coalition to convince the
U.S. House of Representatives to pass HR 5, which would cut in half the
interest rate on student loans. The bill passed with overwhelming
bipartisan support, by a vote of 356 to 71. The bill would lower
interest rates over five years on subsidized Stafford student loans,
which are used overwhelmingly by students from low- and middle-income
families. This would save the average low or middle-income borrower
starting school in 2007 $2,300 in debt.
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