VESTAL, N.Y. -- As we move closer to mid-term elections, Binghamton University is making a push to get more students registered to vote.

The Center for Civic Engagement is hosting a competition between residential communities to see who can get the most students registered.

In the 2016 election, the university saw a 10% increase in voting, compared to 2012.

School officials said students are often driven by issues, rather than partisan politics, which makes local and state races more important.

"One of the real values that drives the work that we do here is a belief that we really need everyone at the table, everyone's voice to be heard for our democracy to really work and our communities to be stronger," said Alison Twang, BU Center for Civic Engagement Associate Director.

The student group who registers the most voters will win a prize for their community.