On Tuesday, Sep. 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., The Voter Engagement Coalition is hosting National Voter Registration Day. Located at registration tables across campus, students can scan QR codes to check registration status, register to vote, or request an absentee ballot. For the duration of the event, Michigan Secretary of State employees will be inside the library to directly register voters.
In regards to how long registration takes, MTU’s Student Leadership and Involvement Director, Danielle Meirow, said that “the online format takes two to three minutes.” Meirow added, “Only basic information is needed for [the form]; name, address, usually your state ID number, and depending on the state, the last four digits of your social security number.” Meirow also explained a physical method to register: “There’s a paper form people can print, fill out, and mail to their clerks office.” If already registered, students can instead check their registration status and verify information.
Options regarding when and how you can vote is crucial information provided at the event. Meirow emphasized how, this year, Michigan’s nine-day early voting window is unique. “This has not always been the case previously, it lines up with our fall break… So if students went home for fall break on Thursday, that Saturday and Sunday are early voting days across the state.” Meirow continued, “So folks can vote in person at a permanent address before coming back up to campus… That can be a really good option for students if they do want to cast their ballot in person, but can’t do that Tuesday on election day.”
On Thursday, Sep. 17, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Voter Engagement Coalition is also hosting “Election Education for Everyday People.” The event is also hosted by the Up North Advocacy Education Fund, which is known as a fast-growing organization that empowers local communities through civic engagement and public education advocacy. Located in the East Reading Room in the library, students and residents can talk to former East Lansing City Clerk, Marie Wicks, about how voter registration and the counting of ballots works in Michigan.
Along with providing free snacks, this event is a great opportunity for students to ask questions about voting and to talk to others about nonpartisan voting. Students can also speak to Michigan United, which is a statewide coalition in the state that works for social, racial, and economic justice. Their group mainly focuses on transformative justice, immigrant rights, and environmental protection across the area of Michigan.
To learn more about the event, go to the MTU events calendar at events.mtu.edu or to the Up North Advocacy Education Fund website at upnorthadvocacy.org to read more.