HWS News
23 April 2025 • Service Northrup Honored by ALL IN as Standout Local Official
Assistance to HWS during election seasons contributes to passion for civic engagement on campus.
For his partnership with Hobart and William Smith and dedication to democracy and bipartisanship, former Ontario County Republican Election Commissioner Michael Northrup has been awarded the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge’s 2025 Standout Local Election Official Award.
The award is presented to key stakeholders for their outstanding contributions to improving nonpartisan college student democratic engagement. In particular, Northrup is recognized for helping college students advance nonpartisan civic learning, political engagement and voter participation for the 2024 election.
“In a time of political uncertainty, leaders like Michael Northrup exemplify an unwavering commitment to democracy and constitutional principles,” says Associate Director of the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning Peter Budmen ’15, MAT ’16, who nominated Northrup. “As Ontario County Republican Election Commissioner, Michael served with the highest level of professionalism and integrity, demonstrating his steadfast belief in the will of the people.”
In the spring of 2023, HWS Votes, the nonpartisan student civic engagement group, invited North and his Democratic counterpart AJ Magnan to campus to discuss bipartisanship, running free and fair elections and the importance of being politically engaged.
Budmen also says Northrup’s office would assist with student registrations and answer questions regarding voting laws for Ontario County residents, as well as direct students to the appropriate information for their specific situation.
“It is leadership such as Michael’s that gives faith and trust in our processes and reminds us what it means to be a neighbor,” says Budmen.
With support from Northrup, HWS was named one of 471 higher education institutions for the 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting. The award celebrated HWS’ commitment to fostering nonpartisan democratic engagement and increasing student voter participation.
Northrup served as the commissioner from 2000 to 2024. In 2015, he was named president of the New York State Association of Elections Officials. His extensive career saw the evolution of politics, election interference and the use of election intimidation. Throughout his term, Northrup ensured Ontario County had free and fair elections.
“I’ve enjoyed the election commissioner work,” Northrup says in an October Finger Lakes Times article on his retirement. “I enjoy helping people with the process of voting and to help candidates comply with election laws. My favorite day is Election Day. It’s democracy at work.”
The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, an initiative of the non-profit organization Civic Nation, empowers college students to participate in the democratic process by providing resources and support to increase campus voting.
Top: Ontario County Democratic Election Commissioner AJ Magnum, former Ontario County Republican Election Commissioner Michael Northrup and HWS Votes Co-Presidents Kate Equinozzi '23 and Katelyn Oswalt '24 gather in 2023 after a discussion on bipartisanship and being a civically engaged leader.
